ERIC Number: EJ962650
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Jul
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2156-7069
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Undergraduate Paramedic Students' Attitudes to E-Learning: Findings from Five University Programs
Williams, Brett; Boyle, Malcolm; Molloy, Andrew; Brightwell, Richard; Munro, Graham; Service, Melinda; Brown, Ted
Research in Learning Technology, v19 n2 p89-100 Jul 2011
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 paper-based 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 one-half (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. (Contains 6 tables.)
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Electronic Learning, Allied Health Personnel, Online Courses, Semantic Differential, Computers, Educational Technology, Teaching Methods, Emergency Medical Technicians, Allied Health Occupations Education, Computer Mediated Communication, Computer Assisted Instruction, Web Based Instruction, College Instruction, Undergraduate Study, Student Surveys, Questionnaires, Student Attitudes, Scaling, College Students, Technology Integration, Computer Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia; New Zealand
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Computer Attitude Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A