Undergraduate paramedic students' attitudes to e-learning: findings from five university programs
Author(s)
Graham MunroRichard Brightwell
Andrew Molloy
Malcolm Boyle
Brett Williams
Melinda Service
Ted Brown
Keywords
e-learningparamedic
higher education
Education (General)
L7-991
Education
L
DOAJ:Education
DOAJ:Social Sciences
Education (General)
L7-991
Education
L
DOAJ:Education
DOAJ:Social Sciences
Education (General)
L7-991
Education
L
Education (General)
L7-991
Education
L
Education (General)
L7-991
Education
L
Full record
Show full item recordAbstract
Computers and computer-assisted instruction are being used with increasing frequency in the area of undergraduate paramedic education. Paramedic students' attitudes towards the use of e-learning technology and computer-assisted instruction have received limited attention in the empirical literature to date. The objective of this study was to determine paramedic students' attitudes towards e-learning. A cross-sectional methodology was used in the form of a paperbased survey to elicit students' attitudes to e-learning using three standardised scales. Convenience sampling was used to sample a cross-section of paramedic students at five universities during semester 1 of 2009. The scales used were: the Computer Attitude Survey (CAS), the Online Learning Environment Survey (OLES), and the Attitude Toward CAI Semantic Differential Scale (ATCAISDS). There were 339 students who participated. Approximately onehalf (57.7%) were female and most (76.0%) were under 24 years of age. Moderate results were noted for the CAS general and education subscales. The CAS results were broadly corroborated by the OLES, although a statistically significant difference between participants preferred and actual results on the OLES Computer Usage subscale identified that participants would prefer to use computers less than they actually do. Similarly, the ATCAISDS found participants were largely ambivalent towards computers. As paramedic degree programs continue to emerge and develop, careful consideration should be given to the usability and utility of various e-learning approaches.Date
2011-12-01Type
ArticleIdentifier
oai:doaj.org/article:9aa05107f54f4817b12bf624716bd86410.3402/rlt.v19i2.10311
2156-7069
2156-7077
https://doaj.org/article/9aa05107f54f4817b12bf624716bd864
Copyright/License
CC BYRelated items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
E. H. Rennolds Diary, 1863Rennolds, E. H. (The University of Tennessee Libraries, Knoxville, 1863)
-
E. H. Rennolds Autobiography, 1935 July 5Rennolds, E. H. (The University of Tennessee Libraries, Knoxville, 1935)
-
E- Learning: An effective pedagogical tool for learningRafael; Victor; Kaneez ,; Boumedyen (International Journal of Innovative Technology and Creative Engineering, 2011-04-01)In the info-tech age E-Methods of learning are becoming the most important vehicle in disseminating knowledge in higher education institutions. This sector is growing and changing at a rapid speed due to developments in technologies. But teaching is an art. Can there be fun learning with raw and dry technology? How can we make the best use of E- Methods, can we make the required information and data available to the students in a flexible manner, at ease all the time? What are the advantages of traditional methods of teaching and learning? Is E-learning a progressive stage incubating all the benefits of the Manual learning or it is only a window dressing on the face of advancement? Can we convert the boring, tedious subjects into interactive, monotony breaking joyous learning? In this paper the researchers have focused on the modernization of E- Pedagogy vis-à-vis the traditional method of learning. They have highlighted the effectiveness of using the E- learning elements and various E- Methods. This work has used the decision tree algorithms particularly Classifiers.trees.J48 The obtained results show that using online examination attribute plays major role in increasing the average grade of the class in higher education. The novelty of this work is that the researchers have focused on the teaching methodology used by the faculty members and the tools available in the universities. We believe that this work will play a constructive role in building higher education system. Our generated rules/output can be used by the decision makers in the improvement of higher education system processes.