Experiences with E-learning in Ophthalmology

• Published in: Indian journal of ophthalmology Vol. 62; no. 7; pp. 792 - 794
• Main Authors: Bandhu, Seema, Raje, Swati
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications 01.07.2014; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: A-constant; Adult strabismus; Bevacizumab; biometry; Cellular telephones; Corneal hysteresis; corneal resistance factor; Cost control; Cross-Sectional Studies; E-learning; Education; Education, Medical - methods; exfoliative glaucoma; Feedback; Female; Humans; Hydrophillic nanogels; India; individualized; Internet; intraocular lenses; intravitreal; Learning; Maculopathy; Male; Medical education; methodology; Methods; nanosponges; neovascular age related macular degeneration; Online education; Online instruction; ophthalmic drug delivery; Ophthalmology; Ophthalmology - education; optic pit; Original; personal; Personal computers; personality; primary open angle glaucoma; psychosocial impact; quality of life; solid lipid nanoparticles; spectral domain optical coherence tomography; squint; Students, Medical - psychology; Study and teaching; Surveys and Questionnaires; systematic review; systematic review of reviews; systemic; Teaching; Technology application; Tecnis; Web sites; India; medical education; E-learning; methodology
• ISSN: 0301-4738; 1998-3689; 1998-3689
• DOI: 10.4103/0301-4738.138297

Introduction: E-learning is the use of internet for the purpose of education. E-learning in medical education is at a nascent stage in our country. The present study was carried out with the purpose of introducing e-learning to third year medical students in the subject of Ophthalmology and taking feedback on their attitude towards the new methodology of teaching and evaluating. Materials and Methods: E-learning was introduced to the seventh semester students of MBBS in the subject of Ophthalmology. The topics were converted to web friendly format and used for teaching and evaluating. Feedback was taken from the students on completion of the term on their attitudes towards e-learning and their views on the scope of e-learning in medical education. Results: All the students agreed on the usefulness of e-learning in medical education. Eleven students (27.5%) found the medium of e-learning to be interesting, 15 (37.5%) considered it to be easy and accessible, 10 (25%) found it to be fast and easy, 4 (10%) considered it to be a medium which can give updated information. Twenty-three (57.5%) students considered that e-learning should be a medium of instruction in all the subjects, 15 (37.5%) students considered its usefulness in clinical subjects only. Twenty-eight students (70%) desired that e-learning should be used to provide important notes, questions, MCQs on all topics. Conclusions: E-learning is well accepted as a medium of instruction by medical students.