Students’ acceptance of e-learning approaches in Laboratory Animal Science Training

Abstract

Different online courses and training programs in Laboratory Animal Science (LAS) have emerged across Europe in recent years. E-learning appears to be a promising solution to achieve flexibility in training while meeting the quality criteria of demanding programs in short training periods. However, little is known about how students perceive e-learning in this context, and there is also a lack of specific and valid instruments to measure this perception. Within an exploratory study framework, the e-learning perception of 229 participants in 15 courses in Portugal using two different online training formats, flipped classroom and full online theoretical training, was assessed. For this purpose, the Questionnaire of E-learning Acceptance (QELA), a 32-item accordance Likert-type scale comprising five subscales was developed to explore the following: how participant perceive e-learning, satisfaction with organization and contents, perception of e-learning relevance for the time management, and its influence for practical training. In general, e-learning was well accepted and perceived to work well and be useful by the majority of courses participants, independently of the course level and e-learning format approach. These results indeed suggest that integration of e-learning is useful in LAS training. We also propose the QELA as a starting point for development and implementation of specific instruments to assess e-learning acceptance in LAS across a wider range of geographical and training contexts.

Medical students’ acceptance and perceptions of e-learning during the Covid-19 closure time in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah

“…The present study revealed the absence of significant associations between students' age with the total ElAM score and all its three facets (TQ, PU & FC). These results are in line with the results of Costa, et al [ 13 ]. On the other hand, this finding disagrees with the results of Teo, et al and Ngampornchai, et al from Thailand [ 11 , 12 ].…”

“…On the other hand, results from a recent meta-analysis, 2019, found that none of the sixteen studies included in their analysis reported that online learning was less effective than offline methods [ 18 ]. Similarly, the study of Costa, et al from Portugal revealed high levels of acceptance of e-learning [ 13 ]. The discrepancy between our research and the previous studies may also be due to the faculties' sudden closure during the pandemic with the complete shift to the full-time virtual learning.…”

“…They used two online training formats; the flipped classroom and full online theoretical training. They reported high acceptance levels of both methods [ 13 ]. Nesterowicz, et al conducted another study to determine if e-learning can increase knowledge in continuing pharmacy education and if pharmacists can accept the e-courses or not.…”

<p>Association of COVID-19 Pandemic with undergraduate Medical Students’ Perceived Stress and Coping</p>

“…Our study also established the connection between academic measures and the stress rates of medical students as "severe stress" was apparent for the students who considered online learning "during pandemic" as a burden. On the contrary, other studies found that although the level of acceptance towards E-learning is still low, yet, more than 55% of the students found it to be useful and time-saving, 23 useful, and effective 24 Furthermore, our study recorded that online learning yielded "time management problems" for the majority of the students, whereas, other studies found that "online platforms" provide support for those who have time management problems 25 as well as technology can be used to shrink the total time students need to be in a class. 26 As a current finding, 41.2% of students who responded as "neutral" about "online learning content is difficult to understand" have exhibited stress.…”

Impact of the internet on veterinary surgery

“…In the context of teaching veterinary anatomy, a study showed that the method was well accepted and proved to be a useful and functional tool ( Costa, Costa, & Olsson, 2019 ).…”