Adapting to the Digital Age: An Evaluation of Online Learning Strategies in Public Health and Social Care Education
Hossain, Muhammad and Anglin, Morris and Safi, Ayazullah and Ahmed, Tajbir and Khan, Salim and Majeed, Ban H. (2024) Adapting to the Digital Age: An Evaluation of Online Learning Strategies in Public Health and Social Care Education. Education Research International, 2024. ISSN 2090-4002
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Education Research International - 2024 - Hossain - Adapting to the Digital Age An Evaluation of Online Learning.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (477kB) |
Abstract
The global shift towards digital education in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the landscape of higher education. Public health and social care programmes have adapted to this transformation, embracing online learning strategies to engage students. This study focuses on the assessment of online learning experiences in public health and social care education, particularly during the post-COVID-19 period. Materials and Methods. This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 49 university students in England. These phases, conducted both in person and via video, were audio and video recorded and transcribed verbatim. A purposive sampling technique was employed to gather data, and framework analysis facilitated data management and interpretation. Results. The presentation highlights three main themes and 12 accompanying sub-themes that capture the clear preferences of students for both in-person and online learning methods. The findings elucidate the merits and demerits of online learning strategies in contrast to traditional face-to-face classes. Online classes offer distinct advantages in terms of flexibility, cost-effectiveness, time efficiency, and technological proficiency. However, they also bring to the fore concerns related to social isolation, mental health challenges, technical challenges, and distractions within the home environment. Conclusion. Considering the global transition to digital education, this study contributes to the dynamic discourse surrounding online learning in the post-COVID-19 era. The diverse preferences expressed by students highlight the importance of personalised and flexible teaching methods in online education, underlining the need for adaptability and inclusivity to meet the diverse needs of today’s learners.
| Item Type: | Article | ||||||
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| Identification Number: | https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5079882 | ||||||
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| Subjects: | CAH02 - subjects allied to medicine > CAH02-06 - allied health > CAH02-06-04 - environmental and public health | ||||||
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences > School of Health Sciences | ||||||
| Depositing User: | Gemma Tonks | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 07 Jun 2024 12:46 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 07 Jun 2024 12:46 | ||||||
| URI: | https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15564 |
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