Tehran University of Medical Sciences Acta Medica Iranica 0044-6025 49 5 2011 05 15 296 301 EN Neda Mehrdad Nursing and Midwifery School , Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mitra Zolfaghari Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Nursing and Midwifery School , Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Naser Bahrani Department of Statistic, Shahid Sattary University, Tehran, Iran. Sana Eybpoosh Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. 2015 09 28 Traditional teaching methods used in medical education couldn't meet the need for keeping pace with up to date information. Present study has conducted in order to compare the effect of lecture and e-learning methods on nursing students' learning outcomes in the context of Iran. A cross-over design was applied. Study sample was consisted of 32 students which were in third semester of nursing bachelor program and were passing Maternal Child nursing course. The first part of the course was taught using lecture method during first four weeks; an e-learning method was the technique used to educate the remained part of the course during the second four weeks. Students' learning outcomes in each method, opinion toward and participation with both educational methods was assessed. No significant difference was found between students exam scores in both methods. Considering students' opinion toward educational methods, no significant difference was found between two methods in general but students reported better "capability" and "independency" in e-learning method while lecture was obtained higher scores in "effectiveness on learning" and "motivation" characteristics. E-learning can be used in teaching some nursing courses. It is recommended to use e-learning method with appropriate interactive strategies and attractive virtual environments to motivate students. https://acta.tums.ac.ir/index.php/acta/article/view/3743 https://acta.tums.ac.ir/index.php/acta/article/download/3743/3718