New Perspectives in Science Education
Impact of Emerging Web Technologies on Undergraduate Medical Education Process in Tabuk University
Amina Unis, Pharmacology Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk (Saudi Arabia)
Reham El Khubrani, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk (Saudi Arabia)
Ameera El Howatee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk (Saudi Arabia)
Abstract
BACKGROUND
In the past few years, it has been noticed an increasing use of new web technologies by medical students. Although these technologies were developed for other purposes, it has been adapted by medical students to exchange medical knowledge and information. In addition, faculty members started to interact with students using such technologies. Hence, the present study was developed to measure the extent of the use of these emerging new web technologies by medical students and to identify its impact on the process of medical education.
METHODS
A semi structured questionnaire survey was developed to measure the different aspects of usage of new web technologies for medical education and was distributed to all undergraduate medical students (400 students) in Faculty of Medicine in the University of Tabuk-Saudi Arabia.
RESULTS
It has been found that the use of new web technologies in the field of medical education resulted in a significant increase in the learning and understanding process among undergraduate medical students by giving hands on some subjects. Also, it leads to a significant increase in the degree of communication between students and staff members.
CONCLUSIONS
New emerging web technologies have a positive impact on the process of medical education for most of the students. Proper formulation and integration of such technologies in the medical education process is needed in order to maximize and measure its benefits.
