Evaluation of Hypermedia-based learning materials in the teaching of introductory cell biology

This paper describes the use of hypermedia technology in an innovative manner to produce a tutorial on ceil ultrastructure for first-year undergraduate students with little or no experience of formal biology tuition. This replaced human tutorial support but was used in conjunction with traditional lecture and practical teaching. The study aimed to ascertain if there was any enhancement of the students' learning experience. Whilst interviews with students revealed that the tutorial had been stimulating and worthwhile, a multiple-choice assessment test used to compare these students' performances with those of students who received a traditional form of tutorial indicated that the computer-mediated tutorial did not provide any enhancement to learning. The findings raise questions regarding the use of multiple-choice methods of assessment which are discussed in terms of implications for student-centred learning strategies.