Learning experiences, preference and perception of undergraduate pharmacy students in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2024.241.468477Keywords:
Covid-19, Learning method, Perception, Pharmacy student, Virtual learningAbstract
Background: The Covid-19 pandemic that ravaged the world led to shutting down of schools and higher institutions of learning and the adoption of virtual method of learning. This study assessed the virtual learning experiences, preference, and perception of undergraduate pharmacy students in Nigeria.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on pharmacy students at University of Nigeria, Nsukka using a convenient sampling method with the aid of a four (4) sectioned structured questionnaire. The data was analysed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive analyses were computed. Chi-square was used for inferential analysis. p-value was set at p < 0.05.
Results: About 476 (58.5%) were females while 541(66.5%) were between 18-24 years. About 657(80.7%) pay for internet out of their pockets while 649 (79.7%) did not save time during the virtual learning. The majority 709 (87.1%) preferred classroom learning method. About 59.6% of the students had negative perception of virtual learning, 77.80% had low preparedness while 22.20% had high preparedness for virtual learning.
Conclusion: The pharmacy students experienced lower learning satisfaction and more difficult communication with the instructors and their peers during virtual learning. They had negative perception of virtual learning and extremely low preparedness for virtual learning; they preferred the classroom learning method.
References
Al-Azzam, N., Elsalem, L., & Gombedza, F. (2020). A cross-sectional study to determine factors affecting dental and medical students’ preference for virtual learning during the COVID-19 outbreak. Heliyon, 6(12), E05704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05704
Al-Jaber, M. A., & Al-Ghamdi, S. G. (2020). Effect of virtual learning on delivering the education as part of the sustainable development goals in Qatar. Energy Reports, 6(8), 371‒375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2020.11.174
Anekwe, J. (2017). Impacts of virtual classroom learning on students’ of Nigerian federal and state universities. European Journal of Research and Reflection in Educational Sciences, 5(3), 21‒36. https://www.idpublications.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Full-Paper-IMPACTS-OF-VIRTUAL-CLASSROOM-LEARNING-ON-STUDENTS%E2%80%99-OF-NIGERIAN.pdf
Appana, S. (2008). A review of benefits and limitations of online learning in the context of the student, the instructor, and the tenured faculty. International Journal on E-Learning, 7(1), 5–22. https://www.learnteclib.org/primary/p/22909/
Aucejo, E. M., French, J., Araya, M. P. U., & Zafar, B. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on student experiences and expectations: Evidence from a survey. Journal of Public Economics, 191, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2020.104271
Barrot, J. S., Llenares, I. I., & del Rosario, L. S. (2021). Students’ online learning challenges during the pandemic and how they cope with them: The case of the Philippines. Education and Information Technologies, 26, 7321–7338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10589-x
Bashshar, C. (2017). Virtual learning environments' impact on adult learners' motivation in the workplace. Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 3384.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3384
Baxter, J. A., & Haycock, J. (2014). Roles and student identities in online large course forums: Implications for practice. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 15(1), 20‒40. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v15i1.1593
Becker, H. J. (2000). Findings from the teaching, learning, and computing survey. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 8(51). https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.v8n51.2000
Bevins, F., Bryant, J., Krishnan, C., & Law, J. (2020). Coronavirus: How should US higher education plan for an uncertain future? McKinsey and Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Industries/Public%20and%20Social%20Sector/Our%20Insights/Coronavirus%20How%20should%20US%20higher%20education%20plan%20for%20an%20uncertain%20future/Coronavirus-How-should-US-higher-education-plan-for-an-uncertain-future-final.pdf
Burston, J. (2013). Mobile-assisted language learning: a selected annotated bibliography of implementation studies 1994-2012. Language Learning and Technology, 17(3), 157‒225. http://dx.doi.org/10125/44344
Caton, J., Chung, S., Adeniji, N., Hom, J., Brar, K., Gallant, A., Bryant, M., Hain, A., Basavia, P., & Hosamani, P. (2021). Student engagement in the online classroom: comparing preclinical medical student question-asking behaviours in a videoconference versus in-person learning environment. FASEB BioAdvances, 3(2), 110‒117. https://doi.org/10.1096/fba.2020-00089
Chen, E., Kaczmarek, K., & Ohyama, H. (2020). Student perceptions of distance learning strategies during COVID-19. Journal of Dental Education, 85(S1), 1190-1191. https://doi.org/10.1002/jdd.12339
Cong, L. M. (2020). Successful factors for adoption of synchronous tools in online teaching at scale. In T. McLaughlin, A. Chester, B. Kennedy & S. Young (eds.), Tertiary education in a time of change: Disruptions, challenges and strategies (pp. 39–60). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5883-2_4
Dudeney, G., & Hockly, N. (2007). How to teach English with technology. Pearson Education Limited.
Gallien, T., & Oomen-Early, J. (2008). Personalized versus collective instructor feedback in the online courseroom: Does type of feedback affect student satisfaction, academic performance, and perceived connectedness with the instructor? International Journal of E-Learning, 7(3), 463–476. https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/23582/
Garrison, D., & Cleveland-Innes, M. (2005). Facilitating cognitive presence in online learning: Interaction is not enough. American Journal of Distance Education, 19(3), 133–148. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15389286ajde1903_2
Gaudioso, E., & Boticario, J. G. (2003). Towards web-based adaptive learning communities. In Proceedings of Artificial Intelligence in Education (pp. 237-244). Sydney, Australia: IOS Press.
Hjeltnes,T. A., & Hansson, B.(2005). Cost effectiveness and cost efficiency in E-Learning. QUIS. https://www.courseero.com/file/46770687/Strengths-and-limitations-of-e-learning-editeddocx/
Ifeakor, A. C., & Anekwe, J. U. (2013). Information and communication technology and school-based assessment: Challenges for sustainable development. AFRREV STECH: An International Journal of Science and Technology, 2(1), Article 1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/stech/article/view/108239
International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education. (2003). AIED 2003: Supplementary Proceedings [of the 11th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education Sidney, Australia]. University of Sydney.
Khalil, R., Mansour, A. E., Fadda, W. A., Almisnid, K., Aldamegh, M., Al-Nafeesah, A., Alkhalifah A., & Al-Wutayd O. (2020). The sudden transition to synchronized online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative study exploring medical students' perspectives. BMC Medical Education, 20, 285. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02208-z
Mangal, S. K., & Mangal, U. (2009). Essentials of educational technology. PHI Learning Private Limited.
Mayer, R. E. (2005). Cognitive theory of multimedia learning. In R. E. Mayer (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of multimedia learning (1st ed., pp. 31–48). Cambridge University Press.
Noori, O. A. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on students’ learning in higher education in Afghanistan. Heliyon, 7(10), e08113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08113
Olibie, E., Ezoem, M., & Ekene, U. (2014). Awareness of virtual learning among students of two Nigerian Universities Curriculum Implications. International Journal of Education Learning and Development, 2(1), 34-48. https://eajournals.org/ijeld/vol-2-issue-1-march-2014/awareness-virtual-learning-among-students-two-nigerian-universities-curriculum-implications/
Pelet, J. E., & Lecarte, B. (2013). Virtual worlds as the next asset of virtual learning environments for students in business. International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments, 3(2), 59–76. https://doi.org/10.4018/jvple.2012040104
Pham, H. H., & Ho, T. T. T. (2020). Toward a ‘new normal’ with e-learning in Vietnamese higher education during the post COVID-19 pandemic. Higher Education Research and Development, 39(7), 1327–1331. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2020.1823945
Rahmani, J. (2012). Learning styles and academic achievement: A case study of Iranian high school girl's students procedia - Social and behavioral sciences, 51, 1030–1034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.08.282
Saravanan, C., Mahmoud, I., Elshami, W., & Taha, M. H. (2020). Knowledge, anxiety, fear, and psychological distress about COVID-19 among University students in the United Arab Emirates. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 582189. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.582189
Tanis, C. J. (2020). The seven principles of online learning: Feedback from faculty and alumni on its importance for teaching and learning. Research in Learning Technology, 28. https://doi.org/10.25304/rlt.v28.2319
Xu, D & Jaggars, S. S. (2013). The impact of online learning on students’ course outcomes: Evidence from a large community and technical college system. Economics in Education Revolution 2013, 37, 46–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2013.08.001
Yilmaz, O. (2015). The effects of “Live Virtual Classroom” on students’ achievement and students opinions about “Live Virtual Classroom” at distant education. The Turkish Journal of Educational Technology, 14(1), 108–115. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1057348.pdf
Zarei, S., & Mohammadi, S. (2022). Challenges of higher education related to e-learning in developing countries during COVID-19 spread: A review of the perspectives of students, instructors, policymakers, and ICT experts. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29, 85562–85568. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-14647-2
Zhou, F., Yu, T., Du, R., Fan, G., Liu, Y., Liu, Z., Xiang J., Wang Y., Song B., Xiaoying G., Guan L., Wei Y., Li H., Xudong W., Xu J., Tu S., Zhang Yi., Chen H., Cao B. (2020). Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: A retrospective cohort study. Lancet, 395(10229), 1054–1062. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30566-3