COMPUTER USAGE AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS e-LEARNING AMONG FIRST-YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Objective: To find out the computer and internet infrastructure available, computer skills, current trend of using e-learning modalities among undergraduate students of Dow University of Health Sciences in Karachi, Pakistan.Methodology: During January 2012, first-year medical students of Dow University of Health Sciences responded to an online questionnaire at the end of a 6-week e-learning Research module. The questionnaire examined attitudes and experiences about different modalities of e-learning, as well as attitudes about e-learning usage in medical curriculum apart from the computer and Internet infrastructure.Results: Out of total 700 students, 436 students completed the online questionnaire.Majority of students (n=327; 75%) owned a personal computer or laptop, while 93 (21%) of students used a family-shared computer. Most of the students used either high-speed broad-band internet (n= 123; 28%) or wireless internet (n=193; 44%). Most of them (n=380; 87%) used internet to search for information. Facebook was used by 307 (70%) of students at least several times per week. Most of them (N=31; 73%) agreed that e-learning should play an important role in learning, while 259 (59%) agreed that web-based training should be made available to supplement face to face teaching. Conclusion: Most of the students have necessary infrastructure and positive attitudes about e-learning. Findings of this study should help in planning and organizing special e-learning courses.