Health Profession Student’s Readiness Towards Online Learning as a Component of Blended Learning

Authors

Narasimman Swaminathan, Sri Ramachardra Institute of Higher Education and ResearchFollow
Latha Ravichandran, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and ResearchFollow
Ramachandran Sivakumar, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and ResearchFollow
Steve Milanese, University of South AustraliaFollow

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify the entry-level health profession students’ perception and readiness to adopt online learning as a component of blended learning (BL). Methods: A cross sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was administered using Google forms. Entry level Health professionals’ education (HPE) graduate students of a higher education institute in India completed the survey (N= 628). The questionnaire was developed from the literature and content validated by experts. Ethics clearance was obtained from the Institutional ethics committee. Results: Out of 628 responses, 603 fully completed questionnaires were included for analysis. Of the participants, 98 % owned a smartphone, whereas 67% possessed either a laptop or a stationary computer. 60 % of the respondents reported at least one hour of internet access per day for learning purposes. Most of the participants were comfortable in accessing online learning materials and interacting with peers. The majority of the participants (77.4%) were willing to spend 10 to 20 hours per week on online learning. Conclusion: Entry Level HPE graduate students were ready to adopt online learning as a component of BL. Providing necessary infrastructure and creating online learning materials needs to be considered.

Author Bio(s)

Narasimman Swaminathan, MPTh, FAIMER(Fellow), is a Professor of Physiotherapy, and vice principal, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India.

Latha Ravichandran, MBBS, DCH,DNB, FAIMER (Fellow), is a professor of Pediatrics and Associate Dean, Education, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India.

Sivakumar Ramachandran, PhD, FAIMER (Fellow) is a is a Professor of Physiotherapy, and principal, Faculty of Physiotherapy, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India.

Steve Milanese, PhD, is a Associate Professor, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the participants of the faculty development programme and the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research for providing the necessary facilities. We express our sincere gratitude to all the participants of this study.

DOI

10.46743/1540-580X/2022.2191

Recommended Citation

Swaminathan N, Ravichandran L, Sivakumar R, Milanese S. Health Profession Student’s Readiness Towards Online Learning as a Component of Blended Learning. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2022 Sep 26;20(4), Article 6.