Is multimedia-based training effective?: yes and no

INTRODUCTION Computers can be used to provide students with an opportunity to actively learn material and perform tasks in the same way as professionals in the field. Currently at NMSU, only one method class is available for upperdivision students and there are no labs connected with upper-division classes. Some courses have a special need for labs (e.g. teaching students operant conditioning using live rats). Availability of inexpensive personal computers has led to the possibility of developing computer software dedicated to training and tutoring students [2]. Although the initial cost may be high, it is more cost efficient for long-term laboratory use to develop a computer lab. For example, the estimated cost for purchasing and maintaining laboratory rats is $2,000 per student [1]; however, using a computer virtual rat has an initial cost of less than $2000 for a single computer and software and more than one student can use the virtual rat software in a computer lab over the course of a semester. In addition, computergenerated animation and multimedia capabilities of computers provide an opportunity to expand the ways in which students can learn [4]. Thus, a full computer laboratory to augment psychology courses could be developed.