Using E-mail to Support Continuous Assessment of Medical Students in Omdurman Islamic University (OIU) 2011

Abstract

Abstract: In the last two decades, e-learning was introduced to the developing countries. With globalization, we anticipate that the millennial generation would expect a cut-edge education and assessment. Objectives: To assess the adherence of students to the computer and internet, to describe the pattern of technology use among the students, to recognizestudents' opinion about sending cases via the email, and to assess the response to the new experience. Methodology: A Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in the School of medicine screening the students’ potentials toward computers during the course of surgery. The students were asked to send clerking of 20 cases via email; as part of their continuous assessment. A structured questionnaire was designed and reviewed. All students were involved with total coverage of 90%, with no criteria for exclusion and no sampling. The results:Participants were 183 students.142(77.6%) of students have computers and 19(10.4%) have easy access to the internet. Yet, 60 (32.8%) had no email before the course of surgery. This was decreased to 36(19.7%) after the course. Students' opinion about sending clerking via email was easy in 70(38.3%) and difficult in 53(29%). Students who like to have an online hotlinks with their supervisors, seniors and administration were 136(74.3%). Students who consider the computer training to be the responsibility of the Faculty were 141 (77.1%), but 135(73.8%) consider that to be self-responsibility. Conclusion: more than two third of the students have computers and access to the internet. Favorable attitude was expressed by the students toward e-learning and e-assessment. Research promotes the students' capabilities as it works as a potentiating initiative.