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Electronic learning and open educational resources in the health sciences in Ghana


RMK Adanu
Y Adu-Sarkodie
O Opare-Sem
K Nkyekyer
P Donkor
A LawSon
NC Engleberg

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether a group of Ghanaian students are able to easily use electronic learning material and whether they perceive this method of learning as ac-ceptable.
Setting: The University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS) and the School of Medical Sciences (SMS), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
Participants: One hundred and fifty third year medical students at SMS and nineteen fifth year medical students at UGMS
Methods: Two e-learning materials were developed, one on the polymerase chain reaction and the other on total abdominal hysterectomy and these were distributed to selected medical students. Two weeks after the distribu-tion of the programmes, a one-page, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the target groups of stu-dents at the two institutions.
Results: Ninety three percent (139) of respondents at KNUST and 95% (18) at UG report having access to a computer for learning purposes. All of the UG students viewed the TAH programme; 82% (130) of the KNUST students viewed the PCR animations. All students who viewed the programmes at both institutions indicated that the e-learning pro-grammes were “more effective” in comparison to other methods of learning.
Conclusion: Computer ownership or availability at both medical schools is sufficient to permit the distribution and viewing of e-learning materials by students and the medical students considered both programmes to be very helpful.

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print ISSN: 0016-9560