STUDENTS LEARNING OF CLINICAL SONOGRAPHY - USE OF COMPUTER-ASSISTED-INSTRUCTION AND PRACTICAL CLASS

Rationale and Objectives. The application of information technology to teaching radiology will profoundly change the way learning is mediate d to students. In this project, the integration of veterinary medical students' knowledge of sonography was promoted by a computer-assisted instruction program and a subsequent practical class. Methods. The com puter-assisted instruction program emphasized the physical principles of clinical sonography and contained simulations and user-active exper iments. In the practical class, the students used an actual sonographi c machine for the first time and made images of a tissue-equivalent ph antom. Students' responses to questionnaires were analyzed. Results. O n completing the overall project, 96% of the students said that they n ow understood sonographic concepts very or reasonably well, and 98% ha d become very or moderately interested in clinical sonography. Conclus ions. The teaching and learning initiatives enhanced an integrated app roach to learning, stimulated student interest and curiosity, improved understanding of sonographic principles, and contributed to an increa sed confidence and skill in using sonographic equipment.