scholarly journals E-learning in medical education during COVID-19 pandemic: experiences of a research course at Kenya Medical Training College

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Gachanja ◽  
Nyawira Mwangi ◽  
Wagaki Gicheru

Abstract Background E-learning has been widely adopted as a teaching and learning approach in medical education internationally. However, its adoption in low- and middle-income countries is still at an infantile stage. The use of e-learning may help to overcome some of the barriers to access to quality education and provide flexible, low-cost, user-centred, and easily updated learning. To address the need for research education during the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed and implemented an e-learning course for students enrolled in higher diploma courses at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC). In this paper, we report our experience teaching the online research course in resource-constrained settings to enable other medical educators, students and institutions in similar settings to understand the most appropriate approaches to incorporating e-learning interventions. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that reviewed the experiences of learners and lecturers on a research course at Kenya Medical Training College. All higher diploma students admitted to the college in the 2020/21 academic year were invited to take part in the study. We also included all lecturers that were involved in the coordination and facilitation of the course. We analysed qualitative and quantitative data that were collected from the e-learning platform, an online course-evaluation form and reports from course lecturers. Results We enrolled 933 students on the online research course. These students had joined 44 higher diploma courses in 11 campuses of the college. The students struggled to complete synchronous e-learning activities on the e-learning platform. Only 53 and 45% of the students were able to complete the pretest and the posttest, respectively. Four themes were identified through a thematic analysis of qualitative data (1) Students gained research competencies (2) Students appreciated the use of diverse e-learning technologies (3) Students felt overwhelmed by the research course (4) Technological challenges reduce the effectiveness of online learning. Conclusion Our results suggest that e-learning can be used to teach complex courses, such as research in resource-constrained settings. However, faculty should include more asynchronous e-learning activities to enhance teaching and learning and improve student experiences.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Gachanja ◽  
Nyawira Mwangi ◽  
Wagaki Gicheru

Abstract Background E-learning has been widely adopted as a teaching and learning approach in medical education internationally but its adoption in low- and middle-income countries is still at an infantile stage. The use of e-learning may help to overcome some of the barriers to access to quality education and provide flexible, low-cost, user-centred, and easily updated learning. Research can inform improvement in health care, but strategies to develop research skills among health practitioners are complex and require well-designed training. To address the need for research education, we developed and implemented an e-learning course on patient safety research for students enrolled for higher diploma courses at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC). In this paper, we report our experience teaching the online research course in resource-constrained settings to enable other medical educators, students and institutions in similar settings to understand approaches to incorporating e-learning interventions. Methods The eLearning research course is hosted on the Colleges’ Moodle Learning Management System (LMS). All higher diploma students admitted to the college in the 2020/21 academic year were enrolled on the course. The research course was delivered over 60 hours, but the course materials (text, videos, images, discussion forums, downloadable content) remain accessible to students throughout the academic year. A pretest, posttest, peer-graded assessment and course evaluation were administered on the e-learning platform. The students were expected to conduct individual research projects after the training. Results A total of 933 students undertaking 44 higher diploma courses in 11 campuses of KMTC were enrolled in the course. There was a significant increase in the mean knowledge level of students: scores for pretest (Mean = 56.5%, SD = 14.3) and posttest (Mean = 67.8%, SD = 8.9); t (122) = 7.85, p < .001. Student and faculty experience was generally positive. The challenges included infrastructure and technological skills. The standardization of material and team-teaching improved efficiency, effectiveness and inter-faculty discourse on inter-professional collaboration in research. Conclusion Our results suggest that e-learning can be used to teach research but there is a need for technological investment and institutional e-readiness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 110 ◽  
pp. 03007
Author(s):  
Oksana Marunevich ◽  
Valentina Kolmakova ◽  
Irina Odaruyk ◽  
Denis Shalkov

In the world of online education, teachers are constantly looking for ways to interact with students both synchronously and asynchronously. The next decade is likely to witness a considerable rise in the development of more advanced e-learning and m-learning tools since they have become a vital factor for education due to the global shutdown of learning activities forced by the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper is a preliminary attempt to analyze the use of e-learning and m-learning technologies by Russian universities. E-learning and m-learning mean sharing knowledge and skills by using web- or mobile-based technology, respectively. The most commonly employed learning tools are social networks, LMS, and video conferencing which due to their accessibility, immediacy, interactivity, and context-awareness benefit both teachers and students in a number of ways.


Author(s):  
Parmeswar Ramkissoon ◽  
Louis Jinot Belle ◽  
Trishnee Bhurosy

<p>With the advent of e-learning, advocates use the term interactivity instead of interaction among students, and between the teacher and the students. Many universities use Moodle for online teaching and learning. This paper explores the perceptions and experiences of students in three Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Mauritius. A mixed-methods approach was used, with an online survey questionnaire administered to 600 students and focus group discussions were conducted with 15 students from these institutions. It was found that 68.4% of respondents used WhatsApp compared to only 23.6% of them who used the e-learning platform, Moodle. There were no associations between the use or frequency of using WhatsApp or Facebook and the types of HEI to which the students belonged. Students preferred WhatsApp due to its facility for knowledge sharing and construction, its interactivity, its usability, respect for privacy and instant communication. From the findings, it is recommended that HEIs bring a shift in their approaches to teaching and learning from cognitivism to socio-constructivism, connectivism and heutagogy.</p>


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laleh Khojasteh ◽  
Zahra Karimian ◽  
Sharifzadeh ◽  
Elham Nasiri

Abstract The number of multimedia courseware developed to assist teaching and learning activities has increased tremendously, following the declaration of schools’ closure during COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed at e- learning experiences of 550 students of a medical school in Iran during the time Coronavirus pandemic hit Iran. To achieve the objectives of this study, a self-devised questionnaire was used, and the data were analyzed using Independent samples T. test, ANOVA, and MANOVA. Results have demonstrated that university students had a satisfactory e-learning experience during the lockdown with an exception for online synchronous classes. This study also showed that older students are more satisfied with e-learning and that there was a significant difference between the overall mean score of those who had access to PCs and laptops compared to those who had accessed only to mobile phones. Our results also showed a significant difference exists between the e-learning experience of students who had experienced virtual classes prior to Covid-19 pandemic and those who had not; however, no significant difference was seen in terms of the residence of the students and their gender.


Author(s):  
Lien Cam

Many colleges and universities in Vietnam have employed e-learning platforms in teaching English with the hope to better students’ English proficiency. Recently, e-learning programs such as DNTU-LMS and Canvas have been implemented at Dong Nai Technology University. With their features of flexibility and efficiency, they have been being used as crucial tools for teaching and learning in various faculties in the university especially during the widespread of Covid-19 pandemic. The present study aimed at identifying the views of the EFL learners from Faculty of Foreign Languages on the application of e-learning platform. A group of 100 EFL students was chosen randomly to participate in this study. Data was collected using questionnaire. After analyzing student’s responses, the results proved that the introduction of e-learning was effective. E-learning also stimulates students to learn English and brings them comfort and joy.


2021 ◽  
pp. 11-12
Author(s):  
Arijit Majumdar ◽  
Soumali Biswas ◽  
Tanushree Mondal

Aim And Objective: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an unprecedented disruption in medical education and healthcare systems worldwide. In India, responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in medical education resulted in closures of medical colleges and adoption of online teaching-learning methods, which is challenging for both faculty and students. Rising concerns among students urged to evaluate strength and weakness of ongoing online teaching and learning methods. The objective of the study was to nd out the perceptions of students regarding E-learning during lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at IPGME & R Kolkata. A sample size of 600 was calculated. MBBS students of all levels participated in this study. A Google questionnaire was developed and was validated by Medical education unit of the college. The Google questionnaire was mailed to the students. The data was transferred to excel sheet and analysis was done on various parameters to derive descriptive statistics between classroom teaching and online teaching Results: Total 600responses were received. 340 (56.7%) males and 260(43.3%) females participated in the study. 41.7% students use mobile phones as their gadgets for E- learning and 33.3% use laptops followed by desktop (16.7%) and tablet (8.3%) Overall only 10 % students preferred to use only E- learning. 50% students preferred classical didactic learning. And 40% preferred a combination of classical ofine and E - learning as useful method of learning. Conclusions: Students did not prefer E- learning over classroom learning. They admit the usefulness of E -learning. But, classroom learning with rational use of E -learning is preferred by the students.


Author(s):  
Moradeke Olaniyan ◽  
Deryn Graham

Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) can be slow in responding to technological innovation. Streaming technology offers a competitive advantage to a HEI if appropriately adopted and integrated with the marketing strategy compared to the Push-Pull strategy: when all available technological innovation is used to push educational options to the market and the potential people pull from the market. This chapter briefly describes the concepts of e-learning and media streaming, and their relationship to HEIs. The intangible business benefits of using media streaming to enhance teaching and learning in HEIs are explored through a literature review and small sample survey. The case study of a UK university is used to represent a HEI; e-learning technology is already in use within the university, considering the integration of media streaming technology into new or existing learning technologies. The hardware and software requirements are briefly examined, and possible business concerns and risks are identified with recommendations.


Author(s):  
Athra Sultan Alawani

Teachers' professional development programs need to be reconsidered to meet their expectations in the new digital era. Thus, there is need to consider the importance of offering mobile, informal, and social learning in the workplace through smart utilization of the emerging mobile technologies. This chapter introduces the features of an innovative mobile and social learning platform, which aims at improving teachers' performance in the UAE and the Arab world by promoting knowledge and skill through better integration of ICT in the teaching and learning process and better adoption of learner-centric learning. A smart mobile learning platform called “Wamda” is providing micro-courses that are relevant to the curriculum, experiential, and immersive. It is designed to utilize the power of mobile learning technologies, artificial intelligence techniques, and social networking approach. Through this chapter, the critical pedagogical and technical aspects of creating a smart mobile learning environment were elaborated and checked against a list of attributes of smart systems.


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