| Abstract
Background: Considering the advancement of information technology, the use of new
educational methods, such as e-learning, is undeniable. The purpose of the present study was to
design and evaluate drug dose calculation multimedia software to nursing students.
Methods: After providing educational content, the software was prepared based on research
findings in the field of e-learning, including Mayer’s multimedia design principles, educational
evaluation criteria and an educational materials checklist. Software evaluation was done by
a number of multi-disciplinary experts (n=15) and students (n=32) and by polling forms that
included the characteristics of electronic resources. SPSS 20 was used to analyze the data.
Independent t tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation were used to assess
the relationship. Also, the data are presented using mean (standard deviation) and frequency
(percentages) for numeric and categorical variables.
Results: Software evaluation by students resulted in a mean score of 57.73 (SD=10.964)
(range: 14 to 70) of the maximum possible score of 70, indicating that software evaluation was
excellent. There was a significant difference between the mean total score provided by female
(mean=61.8, SD=6.03) compared to male (mean=52.5, SD=9.02) students (P < 0.05). Female
students rated the software higher than male students (P < 0.05). Evaluation of the software by
multi-disciplinary experts resulted in a mean score of 160.72 (SD=30.796), with scores ranging
from 40 to 200 out of a maximum score of 200.
Conclusion: Vital drug prescription and calculation principles multimedia software was
developed using Mayer’s theory and evidence-based evaluation criteria. Results showed an
excellent evaluation of the software by multi-disciplinary experts and students. |