Effects of virtual and lecture-based instruction on learning, content retention, and satisfaction from these instruction methods among surgical technology students: A comparative study

BACKGROUND: There are various instructional methods worldwide and virtual instruction is one of them. This widely used method involves online instruction and e-learning. The present study compares the effects of lecture-based and virtual instruction on student learning, satisfaction, and content retention among surgical technology students at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The population of this two-stage, quasi-experimental study consisted of 40 surgical technology students at the School of Nursing and Midwifery. After fulfilling inclusion criteria, they were randomly assigned to the virtual instruction group (VG, n = 20) and the traditional, lecture-based instruction group (TG, n = 20). Data were collected via a researcher-made student satisfaction questionnaire and two learning examinations. Their validity and reliability had been confirmed. The data were analyzed using SPSS 13 and analytical and descriptive tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the TG and the VG with respect to the mean score in the first examination (P = 0.89). However, the two groups were significantly different in terms of the mean score in the second examination (P = 0.03). Regarding content retention and recall performance, the VG outperformed the TG. Furthermore, the mean satisfaction score of the VG (132.24 ± 17.92) was higher than that of the TG (115.56 ± 17.57) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Virtual instruction and lecture-based instruction had comparable short-term learning outcomes. Nevertheless, with the passage of time, it was revealed that virtual instruction could result in better learning performance and higher content retention and satisfaction.