The Effect of Mobile Educational Content Produced on Learning of Health Information Technology Students in the Medical Terminology Course

Abstract

Introduction: Medical Terminology is one of the specialized courses of the Health Information Technology (HIT) educational program, requires the recollection of numerous words, and educational tools could improve learning in this course. Mobile applications have been used as educational software and have recently received much attention. This study was conducted with the purpose of determining the effect of mobile educational content on study frequency, motivation, and educational improvement among HIT students. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 12 HIT students (in their second semester) of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Educational improvement of students was examined using pretest and posttest scores and the effect of the software on students’ motivation and study frequency was determined using a researcher-made questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by professors and its reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics (paired t-test and McNemar’s test). Results: The use of educational software had a meaningful relationship with educational improvement (P < 0.001) and students’ motivation (P = 0.013); however, it did not have a significant relationship with study frequency. Conclusion: The use of mobile educational software along with traditional methods of study can lead to academic improvement and motivation among students in the medical terminology course.

Keywords

• Mobile Applications
• Educational Technology
• Medical Terminology
• Students