A 2014 paper in the Journal of Physical Therapy Education looked at student learning of psychomotor skills through online video instruction versus in-person instruction.

Summary: For this study, they took 53 PT students and randomly assigned them to face-to-face instruction or online video instruction. For the online instruction, a digital video file with voiceover was produced by program faculty, with content expertise in the evaluation and treatment of the cervical spine, using a standard digital video camera. (the same method we will use). They were taught 2 examination techniques and 2 treatment techniques in these two environments. After instruction and 2-days of practice, their performance was evaluated and scored using a standard rubric.

Here are some key takeaways:

• There was no statistical difference in skill performance between the two groups.
• After cross-over (they learned the same techniques again via the opposite method) there still was no difference, but they all scored better the second time.
• Another conclusion is that live and online demonstrations resulted in the best performance.

You can access the full paper online here.

van Duijn, Arie J., PT, MSPT, EdD, OCS; Swanick, Kathy, PT, DPT, OCS; Donald, Ellen Kroog, PT, MSPT Student Learning of Cervical Psychomotor Skills Via Online Video Instruction Versus Traditional Face-to-Face Instruction, Journal of Physical Therapy Education: January 2014 – Volume 28 – Issue 1 – p 94-102