Validation of online learning in pharmacy education: Effectiveness and student insight

Authors

  • Qi Ying Lean Univerisiti Teknologi MARA
  • Long Chiau Ming School of Pharmacy, KPJ Healthcare University College
  • Yuet Yen Wong Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA
  • Chin Fen Neoh Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA
  • Maryam Farooqui Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University
  • Siti Nur Fadzilah Muhsain Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA

Keywords:

e-Learning, Patient Counselling, Knowledge Assessment, Perception

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness in terms of knowledge change pre- and post-online learning and to explore Malaysian pharmacy students’ perception and acceptance of online learning. An independent web-based learning module was developed for a module on basic patient counselling skills for pharmacy students of a Malaysian public university. Out of a total of 124 students, 120 (96.8%) students participated in the study and completed an assessment and feedback survey. Students’ knowledge scores were found to have significantly improved after completing the online learning activity, with a 47.9 ± 25.1% (p < 0.001) improvement. Overall, more than 90% of students agreed that the online module was useful for new topic learning and revising, provided relevant content, which was arranged in a clear and logical manner, and thus facilitated their understanding. The majority of students reported to have enjoyed and satisfied with the online learning. More than half of them agreed that online learning was time-saving, allowed self-paced learning and improved their confidence level. 

Author Biography

Qi Ying Lean, Univerisiti Teknologi MARA

Pharmacy Lecturer, Faculty of Pharmacy

References

Arkorful, V. & Abaidoo, N. (2015). The role of e- learning, advantages and disadvantages of its adoption in higher education. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, 12(1), 29-42.

Azhari, F.A. & Ming, L.C. (2015). Review of e-learning Practice at the Tertiary Education level in Malaysia. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 49(4), 248-257.

Azhari, F.A., Ming, L.C. & Khan, T.M. (2015, December 15-17). Impact and perception of e-learning: pre-post survey and evaluations. Paper presented at the 15 British Pharmacological Society Pharmacology Conference, London, UK.

Bendezu-Quispe, G., Torres-Roman, J., Salinas-Ochoa, B. & Hernández-Vásquez, A. (2017). Utility of massive open online courses (MOOCs) concerning outbreaks of emerging and reemerging diseases. F1000Research, 6(v. 2), 1699.

Benetoli, A., Chen, T.F. & Aslani, P. (2015). The use of social media in pharmacy practice and education. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 11(1), 1-46. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2014.04.002

Casement, W. (2013). Will Online Learning Lower the Price of College? Journal of College Admission, 220, 14-18.

Cook, D.A., Levinson, A.J., Garside, S., Dupras, D.M., Erwin, P.J. & Montori, V.M. (2008). Internet-based learning in the health professions: a meta-analysis. JAMA, 300(10), 1181-1196.

Dantas, A.M. & Kemm, R.E. (2008). A blended approach to active learning in a physiology laboratory-based subject facilitated by an e-learning component. Advances in Physiology Education, 32(1), 65-75.

Fadzil, M., Latif, L.A. & Azzman, T.A. M. T. M. (2015). MOOCs in Malaysia: a preliminary case study. E-ASEM Forum: Renewing the Lifelong Learning Agenda For the

Future, Bali, Indonesia, 10-11 Mac 2015

George, P.P., Papachristou, N., Belisario, J. M., Wang, W., Wark, P. A., Cotic, Z., Rasmussen, K., Sluiter, R., Riboli-Sasco, E., Tudor Car, L., Musulanov, E.M., Molina, J.A.,

Heng, B.H., Zhang, Y., Wheeler, E.L., Al Shorbaji, N., Majeed, A. & Car, J. (2014). Online eLearning for undergraduates in health professions: a systematic review of the impact on knowledge, skills, attitudes and satisfaction. Journal of Global Health, 4(1).

Goodie, J.L., Williams, P.M., Kurzweil, D. & Marcellas, K.B. (2011). Can blended classroom and distributed learning approaches be used to teach medical students how to initiate behavior change counseling during a clinical clerkship? Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 18(4), 353-360.

Gormley, G.J., Collins, K., Boohan, M., Bickle, I.C. & Stevenson, M. (2009). Is there a place for e-learning in clinical skills? A survey of undergraduate medical students’ experiences and attitudes. Medical Teacher, 31(1), e6-e12. doi: 10.1080/01421590802334317

Han, H., Nelson, E. & Wetter, N. (2014). Medical students’ online learning technology needs. The Clinical Teacher, 11(1), 15-19. doi: 10.1111/tct.12092

Hassali, M., Zehan, S., Fahad, S., Maryam, F. & Hisham, A. (2012). Assessment of students’ perceptions towards e-learning management system (E-lms) in a Malaysian pharmacy school: a descriptive study. Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 12(1), 14-20.

Krauss, F. & Ally, M. (2005). A study of the design and evaluation of a learning object and implications for content development. Interdisciplinary Journal of Knowledge and Learning Objects, 1(1), 1-22.

Means, B., Toyama, Y., Murphy, R. & Baki, M. (2013). The effectiveness of online and blended learning: A meta-analysis of the empirical literature. Teachers College Record, 115(3), 1-47.

Means, B., Toyama, Y., Murphy, R., Bakia, M. & Jones, K. (2009). Evaluation of evidence-based practices in online learning: A meta-analysis and review of online learning studies. US Department of Education.

Neoh, C.F., Zainal, I.N.A., Hameed, M.A., Khan, T.M. & Ming, L.C. (2015). Development and progress of pharmacoinformatics in pharmaceutical and health sciences. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 7(3), 155.

Nesterowicz, K., Librowski, T. & Edelbring, S. (2014). Validating e-learning in continuing pharmacy education: user acceptance and knowledge change. BMC Medical Education, 14(1), 33.

Park, H.L. & Shrewsbury, R.P. (2016). Student evaluation of online pharmaceutical compounding videos. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 80(2), 30.

Roesnita, I. & Zainab, A. (2013). The Pattern of E-Book Use amongst Undergraduates an Malaysia: A Case of to Know is to Use. Digital Libraries, arXiv:1301, 5400.

Ruehter, V., Lindsey, C., Graham, M. & Garavalia, L. (2012). Use of online modules to enhance knowledge and skills application during an introductory pharmacy practice experience. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 76(4), 69.

Salter, S.M., Karia, A., Sanfilippo, F.M., & Clifford, R. M. (2014). Effectiveness of e-learning in pharmacy education. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 78(4), 83.

Scott, K., Morris, A. & Marais, B. (2018). Medical student use of digital learning resources. The Clinical Teacher, 15, 29-33. doi: 10.1111/tct.12630

Thakore, H. & McMahon, T. (2006). Virtually there: e- learning in medical education. The Clinical Teacher, 3(4), 225-228. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-498X.2006.00114.x

Williams, J.G. (2014). Are online learning modules an effective way to deliver hand trauma management continuing medical education to emergency physicians? Plastic Surgery, 22(2).

Wong, T.H., Ip, E.J., Lopes, I. & Rajagopalan, V. (2014). Pharmacy students’ performance and perceptions in a flipped teaching pilot on cardiac arrhythmias. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 78(10), 185.

Yang, Z., Cai, S., Zhou, Z. & Zhou, N. (2005). Development and validation of an instrument to measure user perceived service quality of information presenting web portals. Information & Management, 42(4), 575-589.

Zainal, I.N.A., Karim, N.A.A., Soh, Y.C., Suleiman, A.K., Khan, T.M., Hameed, M.A., Ming, L.C. & Lean, Q.Y. (2017). Key Elements of Pharmacoinformatics for the Degrees of Bachelor and Master of Pharmacy. Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science, 51(4), 419-425

Downloads

Published

04-04-2018

How to Cite

Lean, Q. Y., Ming, L. C., Wong, Y. Y., Neoh, C. F., Farooqui, M., & Muhsain, S. N. F. (2018). Validation of online learning in pharmacy education: Effectiveness and student insight. Pharmacy Education, 18, p 135–142. Retrieved from https://pharmacyeducation.fip.org/pharmacyeducation/article/view/612

Issue

Section

Research Article