Use of WhatsApp®, for distance teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: Experience and perception from a sub-Saharan African setting.

Autor:	Enyama D; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.; Department of Paediatrics, Douala Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital, Douala, Cameroon.; The University of Dschang Taskforce for the Elimination of COVID, Dschang, Cameroon., Balti EV; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.; The University of Dschang Taskforce for the Elimination of COVID, Dschang, Cameroon.; Department of Internal Medicine, Universiteit Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium., Simeni Njonnou SR; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.; The University of Dschang Taskforce for the Elimination of COVID, Dschang, Cameroon., Ngongang Ouankou C; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.; The University of Dschang Taskforce for the Elimination of COVID, Dschang, Cameroon.; Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon., Kemta Lekpa F; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.; The University of Dschang Taskforce for the Elimination of COVID, Dschang, Cameroon.; Department of Internal Medicine, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon., Noukeu Njinkui D; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.; Department of Paediatrics, Douala Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital, Douala, Cameroon.; The University of Dschang Taskforce for the Elimination of COVID, Dschang, Cameroon., Fouogue JT; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.; The University of Dschang Taskforce for the Elimination of COVID, Dschang, Cameroon.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bafoussam Regional Hospital, Bafoussam, Cameroon., Mayouego Kouam J; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon., Njateng GSS; The University of Dschang Taskforce for the Elimination of COVID, Dschang, Cameroon.; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon., Kenfack B; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.; The University of Dschang Taskforce for the Elimination of COVID, Dschang, Cameroon., Watcho P; The University of Dschang Taskforce for the Elimination of COVID, Dschang, Cameroon., Choukem SP; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon. simeon.choukem@univ-dschang.org.; The University of Dschang Taskforce for the Elimination of COVID, Dschang, Cameroon. simeon.choukem@univ-dschang.org.; Health and Human Development (2HD) Research Network, Douala, Cameroon. simeon.choukem@univ-dschang.org.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	BMC medical education [BMC Med Educ] 2021 Oct 02; Vol. 21 (1), pp. 517. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Oct 02.
DOI:	10.1186/s12909-021-02953-9
Abstrakt:	Background: In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, to palliate to the lockdown and cover academic programs, the faculty of medicine and pharmaceutical sciences (FMPS) of the university of Dschang (UDs) in Cameroon has implemented e-learning using WhatsApp®. Aim: Describe the opinion of students and lecturers after its implementation of e-learning at the FMPS of UDs. Methods: We designed a uniform teaching scheme using WhatsApp® during the university lockdown. Students and members of the teaching staff of the FMPS of UDs were enrolled after receiving clear information on the study implementation. At the end of the online-teaching period of two and a half months, we surveyed our students and teaching staff. Sociodemographic characteristics and opinions about e-learning were collected using a standard questionnaire. Results: We enrolled 229 students and 40 lecturers of the FMPS. Students reported a decremented quality of internet connection (p < 0.001, p-homogeneity < 0.001) despite an increased expenditure related to internet use. Electronic devices were broadly used before the implementation of mobile learning. The use of course materials was significantly more challenging among students because of the size/format of lecture notes and internet connection/cost (all p < 0.05). Perception of discipline compared to classroom-based lessons was not significantly different among students compared to lecturers (all p > 0.05). While lecturers were mainly more comfortable conveying the contents of their lectures, students tended to be less prone to actively participate. The motivation and satisfaction of the latter group toward e-learning were modest compared to classroom-based lectures while their feedback about the organization was positive. Conclusions: E-learning using WhatsApp® could be an effective alternative to conventional classroom-based lessons in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. The use of a blended-learning program including classroom-based sessions could help improve its limitations. (© 2021. The Author(s).)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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