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Perception of first year medical students on the use of whatsapp as a supplementary learning tool

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Original Article

Author Details : Kalpana Ramachandran*

Volume : 4, Issue : 3, Year : 2018

Article Page : 69-74

https://doi.org/10.18231/2581-5229.2018.0019

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Abstract

Introduction: There is a growing use of Whatsapp as a communication platform between students and also between students and faculties. The present study was conducted to find out the perceptions of first year medical students on the effectiveness of Whatsapp as a teaching learning tool as a supplement to the traditional teaching methods.
Material and Methods:The study was conducted in a Private Medical College in Chennai, Tamilnadu. The participants of the study were the first year medical students of 2017 - 18 batch. Of the 100 students who had expressed their willingness to participate in the study trial, 91 students (n=91) submitted their feedback. A separate Whatsapp group named “Anatomy Department Official Group” was created. The group was utilized for sharing teaching learning materials such as power points of lectures on Gross Anatomy and Histology, notes on various topics, Histology slides photomicrograph, Spotters containing images of Gross specimens with questions and also for discussion on various topics. The student’s perception of Whatsapp as a supplementary teaching learning tool was obtained using a validated questionnaire.
Results:In our study 98% of students have agreed or strongly agreed that learning material shared through Whatsapp was easily available and downloadable. It also has helped them learn anytime anywhere and 82% of students felt that their confidence level in learning Anatomy has increased.
Conclusion:Owing to the advantages offered by using Whatsapp as a teaching and learning tool for First year Medical students, as perceived by students the author concludes that Whatsapp groups can be used as a supplementary teaching tool in addition to Traditional teaching methods

Keywords:Whatsapp, Learning tool, Anatomy

How to cite : Ramachandran K , Perception of first year medical students on the use of whatsapp as a supplementary learning tool. IP Indian J Anat Surg Head Neck Brain 2018;4(3):69-74

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