Digitalization in curricular teaching: Experiences with the Freiburg ENT Learning Program

Background The relevance of undergraduate Online Teaching increases - on one hand to diversify (ENT) teaching, on the other to continue medical training even in times of crisis like the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Therefore, at the university hospital of Freiburg we build and launched the ENT Learning Program, an online learning platform for medical students. Objectives This study will give an insight into structure and functions of the learning program. Furthermore, its use and usefulness will be subjectively and objectively evaluated. Materials and methods The ENT Learning Program is a web application, that can be used by any Internet-enabled device. ENT content is presented by text, images, video tutorials and interactive features like multiple-choice questions and feedback functions. To evaluate students' use and benefits of the program we first conducted a questionnaire survey with 116 medical students. To objectify the results, we then counted the actual visits to the program and carried out a randomised learning-control-study (n = 47). Results The learning program was used by 97 % of the interrogated students. Over 80 % said that the program improved their exam preparation, motivated them to study and enhanced their interest in ENT. In one year, we counted almost 90.000 visits to the website. Furthermore, the learning- control-study showed a significant better test outcome in students, who used the LP in addition. Conclusions The ENT Learning Program is a promising tool in online teaching, that did not yet exist in Germany that way. Through academic collaborations it could be optimized further and integrated into ENT courses at other universities.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the structure, functions, and usage of the ENT Learning Program developed by the University Hospital of Freiburg. Findings from questionnaire surveys and website visit data indicated that students widely used the program and perceived it as beneficial for exam preparation and motivation. The controlled study showed significantly better test outcomes in students who used the program.