An e-learning reproductive health module to support improved student learning and interaction: a prospective interventional study at a medical school in Egypt

BMC Medical Education

Uno GH Fors¹  Mohamad F Ahmad³  Sahar Yassin²  Rehab Abdelhai² 

[1] Department of Computer and Systems Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden;Department of Public Health, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt;National Tempus Office - Egypt, Giza, Egypt

关键词: Egypt;    Medical education;    Public health;    Reproductive health;    e-Learning;    On-line learning;   

Others  :  1153799
DOI  :  10.1186/1472-6920-12-11

 received in 2011-07-25, accepted in 2012-03-20,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Background

The Public Health (PH) course at the medical college of Cairo University is based on traditional lectures. Large enrollment limits students' discussions and interactions with instructors.

Aim

Evaluate students' learning outcomes as measured by improved knowledge acquisition and opinions of redesigning the Reproductive Health (RH) section of the PH course into e-learning and assessing e-course utilization.

Methods

This prospective interventional study started with development of an e-learning course covering the RH section, with visual and interactive emphasis, to satisfy students' diverse learning styles. Two student groups participated in this study. The first group received traditional lecturing, while the second volunteered to enroll in the e-learning course, taking online course quizzes. Both groups answered knowledge and course evaluation questionnaires and were invited to group discussions. Additionally, the first group answered another questionnaire about reasons for non-participation.

Results

Students participating in the e-learning course showed significantly better results, than those receiving traditional tutoring. Students who originally shunned the e-course expressed eagerness to access the course before the end of the academic year. Overall, students using the redesigned e-course reported better learning experiences.

Conclusions

An online course with interactivities and interaction, can overcome many educational drawbacks of large enrolment classes, enhance student's learning and complement pit-falls of large enrollment traditional tutoring.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Abdelhai et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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