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Mobile Learning in a Rural Medical School : Feasibility and Educational Benefits in Campus and Clinical Settings
Joint Authors
Villanueva, Elmer
Kotsanas, George
McGrail, Matthew
Nestel, Debra
Gray, Katherine
Ng, Andre
Source
Journal of Biomedical Education
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-8, 8 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-06-29
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Students in a new medical school were provided with laptops.
This study explored the feasibility and educational benefits of mobile learning for two cohorts of students learning in two settings—university campus (first-year students) and rural clinical placements (second-year students).
Evaluation involved questionnaires, focus groups (faculty and students), and document analysis.
Descriptive statistics were computed.
Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically.
Response rates for questionnaires exceeded 84%.
Compared with second-year students, significantly more first-year students (60%) took their laptops to campus daily (P=0.14) and used their laptops for more hours each day (P=0.031).
All students used laptops most frequently to access the internet (85% and 97%) and applications (Microsoft Word (80% and 61%) and Microsoft PowerPoint (80% and 63%)).
Focus groups with students revealed appreciation for the laptops but frustration with the initial software image.
Focus groups with faculty identified enthusiasm for mobile learning but acknowledged its limitations.
Physical infrastructure and information technology support influenced mobile learning.
Document analysis revealed significant costs and issues with maintenance.
If adequately resourced, mobile learning through university-issued laptops would be feasible and have educational benefits, including equitable access to learning resources, when and where they are needed.
However, barriers remain for full implementation.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Nestel, Debra& Gray, Katherine& Ng, Andre& McGrail, Matthew& Kotsanas, George& Villanueva, Elmer. 2014. Mobile Learning in a Rural Medical School : Feasibility and Educational Benefits in Campus and Clinical Settings. Journal of Biomedical Education،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-470104
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Nestel, Debra…[et al.]. Mobile Learning in a Rural Medical School : Feasibility and Educational Benefits in Campus and Clinical Settings. Journal of Biomedical Education No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-470104
American Medical Association (AMA)
Nestel, Debra& Gray, Katherine& Ng, Andre& McGrail, Matthew& Kotsanas, George& Villanueva, Elmer. Mobile Learning in a Rural Medical School : Feasibility and Educational Benefits in Campus and Clinical Settings. Journal of Biomedical Education. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-470104
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-470104