Innovative teaching strategies using new media may gain increasing importance in medical education. However, controversies exist on the acceptance of new media and valid surveys are lacking. In an online questionnaire we assessed the acceptance of simulation software in physiology lectures and communication with a mobile phone based audience response systems (ARS) during physiology lectures.

434 students from the Medical Faculty of TU Dresden participated in our survey. The use of software simulations gained broad acceptance: 81% of the participants considered the implementation of software simulations during lectures as appropriate. A former experience with simulations in university courses correlated positively with the acceptance rate. 84% indicated their motivation to use online simulations for home learning.

Also use of ARS gained good acceptance (63%). Prior ARS experience resulted in more affirmative votes than in novices (78% versus 44%). The willingness to send short messages (SMS) for teaching purposes depended on the mobile phone contract. Flat rate contracts or unlimited mail access facilitated approval of ARS use.

Conclusions: 

1) Students of the Medical Faculty of TU Dresden generally approve the use of new media based teaching systems, especially if they had prior experience with such teaching formats.

2) Audience response systems should be used in selected courses and be free of additional charges.

3) Software simulations should be considered as teaching format more frequently, because acceptance is positive. Additionally, simulation systems should be made available online for remote use.