Purpose
had
been reported. However, previous research on the effectiveness of distance
education courses revealed problems with decreased cognitive achievement
and motivation. The decreased motivation was especially blamed for higher
attrition in distance education classes.
The purpose of the study was to determine if distance education would be an accepted resource for training rural EMS personnel when efforts were made to increase cognitive achievement and reduce attrition by incorporating learner-centered instructional designs. [Go to Top]
Design
During the 18-month study, advanced life support EMS courses were presented
to students by one of three treatments:
In the 2-way audio/video system, a portable
workstation (550k) and a satellite
transponder (778k) were placed at the rural EMS station for the students
to take the classes. During these classes, the instructor and student saw
and interacted with each other on video monitors. The instructor showed
videotapes, computer screens, and slides to the students during the classes.
The analog images leaving each site were converted at the workstation into
digital signals, transmitted to a NASA satellite, then sent to the other
site where the workstation converted the digital signal back to analog.
The entire process took two seconds.
Learner-centered,
rather than instructor-centered, instructional designs were used in the
two distance education courses to improve cognition and increase motivation
as reflected in attrition rates. In both distance education courses, the
instructor telephoned students to check on progress. Additionally, extensive
computer-based
training, including test banks, electronic workbooks, and scenarios,
were made available to the students who needed additional support. [Go
to Top]
Conclusions
Students in both distance education groups scored as well as the students
in the traditional classroom on the post-test (p=0.23), and there was no
significant difference (p=0.94) in attrition rates between the three groups.
Given the number of students, mean test scores, and test score ranges,
post hoc calculations indicate a power of 80% to detect a four point
difference in mean test score between groups.
The study indicates that distance education may be an acceptable education resource to train EMS personnel in rural areas when effective learner-centered instructional strategies are purposefully incorporated. [Go to Top]
Recommendations
Based on the results of the study, the authors recommend increased
funding for distance education classes in rural areas to improve declining
ambulance staffing. The authors recommend that learner-centered designs,
based on studies cited in the study, be purposefully incorporated during
distance education classes. [Go to Top]
The authors appreciate the following organizations for providing funding for this 18-month study:
Presented:
Moshinskie, J. The Effects of Using Distance Learning Technologies
In Training Rural EMS Providers When Learner-Centered Designs Are Used.
Presented at the annual conference of the Society for Advanced Learning
Technologies, Washington, D.C., August 15, 1995.
Moshinskie, J. and Jarvis, J. The Effects of Using Distance Learning Technologies In Training Rural EMS Providers When Learner-Centered Designs Are Used. Presented at the annual conference of the Bureau of Emergency Management, Texas Department of Health, Fort Worth, TX., November 22, 1995.
Associated Presentations:
Moshinskie, J. and Williams, M. Designing Audiographic Pedagogy.
Presented at the annual conference of the International Telecommunications
Association, Washington, D.C., March 5, 1993.
Moshinskie, J. Audiographic Presentation for EMS Personnel in Rural Areas. Poster presentation at the annual International Distance Education Conference, Dallas, TX, June 23, 1994.
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