Design and validation of a computer-aided learning program to enhance students’ ability to recognize lameness in the horse.
Abstract: The ability to recognize lameness in the horse is an important skill for veterinary graduates; however, opportunities to develop this skill at the undergraduate level are limited. Computer-aided learning programs (CALs) have been successful in supplementing practical skills teaching. The aim of this study was to design and validate a CAL for the teaching of equine lameness recognition (CAL1). A control CAL was designed to simulate learning by experience (CAL2). Student volunteers were randomly assigned to either CAL and tested to establish their current ability to recognize lameness. Retesting occurred both immediately following exposure and 1 week later. At each test point, the number of correct responses for forelimb and hind limb cases was determined. Student confidence was assessed before and after CAL exposure, with previous opportunities to recognize lameness taken into account. Immediately following exposure, the number of correct responses was significantly higher for CAL1 than for CAL2, both overall and for forelimb cases but not for hind limb cases. After 1 week, the CAL1 group performed significantly better overall compared to the CAL2 group, with no significant difference between forelimb and hind limb cases. Student confidence and ability to recognize lameness were significantly improved following exposure to CAL1. When considered as one category, students in years 4 and 5 performed significantly better than year 3 students. Gender did not significantly affect performance. CAL1 could be used to supplement current lameness recognition opportunities. CAL1 is, however, limited in its ability to improve lameness recognition, especially in relation to hind limb lameness where it was unable to attain a significant difference from CAL2.
Publication Date: 2013-11-28 PubMed ID: 24280563DOI: 10.3138/jvme.0213-040R1Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Validation Study
Summary
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This research studied the development and validation of a computer-aided learning tool aimed at helping veterinary students improve their ability to diagnose lameness in horses. It concluded that the tool was successful in enhancing their recognition abilities and confidence, in particular for lameness in forelimbs.
Research Design
- The study focused on the creation and validation of a computer-aided learning program (CAL1) designed specifically for teaching recognition of equine lameness.
- A comparison was made with a control CAL (CAL2) which imitated a learning by experience approach.
- Student volunteers were randomly assigned to use either CAL1 or CAL2. They were assessed for their current lameness recognition abilities, and then reassessed immediately after using the CAL and again a week later.
Comparison and Test Results
- Several factors were noted during the testing process including the number of correct responses, the distinction between forelimb and hind limb lameness, and student confidence pre- and post-exposure to the learning tools.
- The results showed that following exposure to CAL1, there was a significant increase in correct responses, especially for forelimb lameness cases. For hind limb lameness, however, there was no significant difference between the two CAL groups.
- The boost in both student confidence and ability to identify lameness was significantly higher after using CAL1.
Performance Factors
- The study also looked into if the year of study or gender of the students influenced the learning outcome. It found that students in their 4th and 5th year outperformed those in their 3rd year, while gender had no significant impact on performance.
- Overall, the study concluded that the CAL1 tool could supplement current learning opportunities for diagnosing lameness in horses
Limitations
- Despite the positive results seen with forelimb lameness, CAL1’s efficacy was limited when it came to recognizing hind limb lameness. Here, it didn’t perform significantly better than the experience-based CAL2.
- This pointed to its limitations and the need for the inclusion of other teaching methods to enhance comprehensive skills in recognizing lameness.
Cite This Article
APA
Barstow A, Pfau T, Bolt DM, Smith RK, Weller R.
(2013).
Design and validation of a computer-aided learning program to enhance students’ ability to recognize lameness in the horse.
J Vet Med Educ, 41(1), 1-8.
https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme.0213-040R1 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / methods
- Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / veterinary
- Education, Veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Students
- Videotape Recording
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Leclercq A, Byström A, Söderlind M, Persson E, Rhodin M, Engell MT, Hernlund E. Evaluation of feedback methods for improved detection of hindlimb lameness in horses among riding instructors and trainers. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:992954.
- Ozturan YA, Akin I. Evaluating the Reliability and Accuracy of Senior Veterinary Students in Detecting and Scoring Lameness in Dairy Cows. Vet Med Sci 2025 Jul;11(4):e70496.
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