Smart(phone) Learning Experience Among Vascular Trainees Using a Response System Application

Objectives: Smartphones have become the most important personal technological device. M-learning is learning through mobile device educational technology. We aim to assess the acceptability of a smartphone learning experience among the vascular trainees and determine if results could inform formal teaching efforts.

Methods: A survey of the vascular trainees at a single center was conducted following a trial of smartphone learning experience. A vascular fellow used a smartphone response system application (Polltogo, Inspirapps Inc.) to send a daily multiple-choice question to the vascular residents for 20 consecutive working days. The application allows for only one attempt from each user, and the answers are registered anonymously. However, each participant receives instant feedback on his/her response by viewing the correct answer after answering each question along with a distribution of answers among other users.

Results: A total of 9 trainees participated in the trial, and all of them filled a posttrial survey. All the trainees possessed smartphones. The majority (78%) were not aware of the concept of m-learning. The mobile engagement score (number of answers received divided by total possible answers) was 145/180 (81%). All the trainees were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the experience, and the same number stated that they were "likely" or "very likely" to use this technology in the future. The majority (89%) agreed that such an application could assist them in preparing for their board examination. On 3 occasions, 75% or more of the participating trainees answered the multiple-choice question incorrectly, which resulted in addressing the relevant topics in the unit's weekly teaching conference.

Conclusion: Using smartphones for education is acceptable among the vascular trainees, and the trial of a response system application with instant written feedback represents a novel method for using smartphones for collaborative learning. Such an application can also inform program directors and surgical trainers of their trainees' learning needs.