The impact of multimedia on teaching tropical medicine

this study evaluated the impact of multimedia in the information transfer of subjects specific to tropical diseases - tetanus and snake envenoming. we evaluated the autonomous learning process of 76 fourth-year medical students at botucatu school of medicine of unesp, using printed matter, video, and cd-rom. the students were submitted to a specific test, which was repeated approximately one week later. they were divided into groups and received a kit containing a textbook, a video, and a cd-rom. these materials were used for out-of-class study. before the second test, the students gave a seminar,where they discussed and resolved their doubts with their professor. the results of the first test showed averagesbetween 4.27±1.41 and 6.41±1.61. the second test, given after the seminar, presented averages that increased to 8.41±0.76 and 9.52±0.42, significance a = 5%. at the end of the course, the students answered a questionnaire, which evaluated the material quality and acquired knowledge. the students concluded that multimedia was a more efficient and quick means for knowledge building than traditional teaching materials. they said that the active participation and interactivity with the cd-rom were the major differences. the authors continue to study the associated use of printed matter, video, and cd-rom as a faster alternative to the traditional method of information transfer, which may be of help in the knowledge building process in medical education.