Medical and Health Students’ Acceptance and Perceptions of E-learning During the COVID-19 Lockdowns in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Technology Acceptance Model

Anas Alhur; Arwa Alhur; Afrah Alhur

doi:10.56741/jpes.v2i03.360

Authors

Anas Alhur
anas.ali.alhur@gmail.com
Collage Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University
Arwa Alhur Collage Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University
Afrah Alhur Collage Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University

Keywords:

Acceptance level, e- Learning, Medical Students, Online Learning, TAM

Abstract

Many educational institutions around the globe utilise E-Learning, which can provide multiple benefits for learners and teachers. Students have no geographical boundaries to prevent them from learning and receiving many other benefits based on their situation and needs. In this study, we aim to investigate the acceptance and perceptions of e-learning among medical and health students in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 lockdown. 99% of the respondents own technologies to access e-learning. We examined the students' learning types of preferences, and our analysis shows that around 45% preferred e-learning, 32% blended learning, and 23% chose traditional education. 29.3% disagreed, and 22% strongly disagreed that e-learning was easy to use. 32.6% agreed that e-learning was fixable, while 19.5% disagreed. We found that 16% disagreed that e-learning increases the efficiency and effectiveness of their learning, whereas 40% agreed. The researchers assessed respondents' preference for learning methods, and we reported that blended learning was preferable to traditional and e-learning. The current paper confirms the validity of the TAM model in measuring e-learning acceptance and use. We found that Medical and health students have a high favour of using e-learning. However, some issues exist in terms of its easiness.

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Author Biographies

Anas Alhur, Collage Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University

received his B.S. degree from the Department of Health Informatics, College Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia, in 2020, and the M.S. degree from the Department of Health Informatics, Collage Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is a reviewer in two international journals. Three years of experience in the country in clinical settings. His research interests include Health Information Technology, Health informatics education, and innovations in informatics teaching. (email: anas.ali.alhur@gmail.com).

Arwa Alhur, Collage Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University

holds M.A. in school Psychological Counseling, a B.Sc. in educational psychology, and a higher diploma in psychological counselling and guidance from the Psychology Department, College of Education, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia. She has over ten years of experience in educational and clinical organisations.

Afrah Alhur, Collage Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University

received his B.S. from the Department of Clinical Nutrition, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia. One year experience in clinical Nutrition settings at Hail City. She is active in research and deeply interested in increasing individuals’ health. Her research interests include clinical nutrition, developing Clinical nutrition education, and using technology to improve human health in different aspects of their lives.

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