Assessing the Value of Online Learning and Social Media in Pharmacy Education

Am J Pharm Educ. 2016 Aug 25;80(6):97. doi: 10.5688/ajpe80697.

Abstract

Objective. To assess student preferences regarding online learning and technology and to evaluate student pharmacists' social media use for educational purposes. Methods. An anonymous 36-question online survey was administered to third-year student pharmacists enrolled in the Drug Information and Clinical Literature Evaluation course. Results. Four hundred thirty-one students completed the survey, yielding a 96% response rate. The majority of students used technology for academic activities, with 90% using smart phones and 91% using laptop computers. Fifty-eight percent of students also used social networking websites to communicate with classmates. Conclusion. Pharmacy students frequently use social media and some online learning methods, which could be a valuable avenue for delivering or supplementing pharmacy curricula. The potential role of social media and online learning in pharmacy education needs to be further explored.

Keywords: online learning; pharmacy education; social media.

MeSH terms

  • Computer-Assisted Instruction / methods
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction / statistics & numerical data
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction / trends*
  • Education, Pharmacy / methods
  • Education, Pharmacy / trends*
  • Humans
  • Internet / statistics & numerical data
  • Internet / trends
  • Social Media / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Media / trends*
  • Social Networking*
  • Students, Pharmacy*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires