Evaluating a speech-language pathology technology.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The creation of new educational strategies based on technology is the essence of telehealth. This innovative learning is an alternative to promote integration and improve the professional practices in speech-language pathology (SLP). The objective of this study was to evaluate an SLP technology designed for distance learning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey selected fourth-year SLP students (n=60) from three public universities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The experimental group (EG) contained 10 students from each university (n=30), and the remaining students formed the control group (CG). Initially, both groups answered a preprotocol questionnaire, and the EG students received the technology, the recommendations, and the deadline to explore the material. In the second stage all students answered the postprotocol questionnaire in order to evaluate the validity and the learning of the technology contents. RESULTS: The comparison between the CG students showed that their performance worsened in the majority in comparison with the EG students, who showed an improved performance. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, this study concluded that the technology instrument actually responded to the population studied and is recommended to complement traditional teaching.