Social, and social networking media: A biomedical science department experience in training health professionals at the University of Technology, Jamaica

Abstract

Background: In a region of Caribbean states with limited human and financial resources institutions of higher education must use the technology available to reach its students across the region and allow professionals in the Biomedical Sciences to teach, interact and follow students from first year to their professional registration. This paper shares the journey of our students’ progression across island states using Social Networking and Social media academic delivery. Objective: Using Information Communication Technology to delivery and monitor students across. Collect the data of their academic success and monitor their the use of knowledge over the 4 years of training so see if there was a link between the success at board examinations and the use and participation of the technology. Method: Accounts were opened with groups of students from the different islands. The research team was made managers of the account. Lectures, tutorials and labs were discussed. After completion of the module clinical cases were discussed building on a student’s foundation knowledge. Control group used Moodle and at the end of were allowed to progress without for the next cohort. Results: Students who remained active in a Social and Social Networking Group after completing their modules had a higher rate of success in their professional registration examinations. Conclusions: Social and Social Networking Media had a very positive and lasting effect in the learning process than the control group using Moodle who were allowed to progress after they completed each modules. The quality of performance in the registration/board examinations was also better.