Use of WhatsApp®, for distance teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: Experience and perception from a sub-Saharan African setting
Abstract 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 studen...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2021-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02953-9 |
| _version_ | 1819118142498013184 |
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| author | Dominique Enyama Eric Vounsia Balti Sylvain Raoul Simeni Njonnou Christian Ngongang Ouankou Fernando Kemta Lekpa Diomede Noukeu Njinkui Jovanny Tsuala Fouogue Jeanne Mayouego Kouam Guy Sedar Singor Njateng Bruno Kenfack Pierre Watcho Simeon Pierre Choukem |
| author_facet | Dominique Enyama Eric Vounsia Balti Sylvain Raoul Simeni Njonnou Christian Ngongang Ouankou Fernando Kemta Lekpa Diomede Noukeu Njinkui Jovanny Tsuala Fouogue Jeanne Mayouego Kouam Guy Sedar Singor Njateng Bruno Kenfack Pierre Watcho Simeon Pierre Choukem |
| author_sort | Dominique Enyama |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T05:44:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c6fd5c6a6d9b4aad911eb6aca316dc05 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T05:44:10Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-c6fd5c6a6d9b4aad911eb6aca316dc052022-12-21T18:37:07ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202021-10-012111910.1186/s12909-021-02953-9Use of WhatsApp®, for distance teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: Experience and perception from a sub-Saharan African settingDominique Enyama0Eric Vounsia Balti1Sylvain Raoul Simeni Njonnou2Christian Ngongang Ouankou3Fernando Kemta Lekpa4Diomede Noukeu Njinkui5Jovanny Tsuala Fouogue6Jeanne Mayouego Kouam7Guy Sedar Singor Njateng8Bruno Kenfack9Pierre Watcho10Simeon Pierre Choukem11Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of DschangFaculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of DschangFaculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of DschangFaculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of DschangFaculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of DschangFaculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of DschangFaculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of DschangFaculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of DschangThe University of Dschang Taskforce for the Elimination of COVIDFaculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of DschangThe University of Dschang Taskforce for the Elimination of COVIDFaculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of DschangAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02953-9Distance educationgraduate educationmobile applicationsonline-learningperceptionsocial media |
| spellingShingle | Dominique Enyama Eric Vounsia Balti Sylvain Raoul Simeni Njonnou Christian Ngongang Ouankou Fernando Kemta Lekpa Diomede Noukeu Njinkui Jovanny Tsuala Fouogue Jeanne Mayouego Kouam Guy Sedar Singor Njateng Bruno Kenfack Pierre Watcho Simeon Pierre Choukem Use of WhatsApp®, for distance teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: Experience and perception from a sub-Saharan African setting BMC Medical Education Distance education graduate education mobile applications online-learning perception social media |
| title | Use of WhatsApp®, for distance teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: Experience and perception from a sub-Saharan African setting |
| title_full | Use of WhatsApp®, for distance teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: Experience and perception from a sub-Saharan African setting |
| title_fullStr | Use of WhatsApp®, for distance teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: Experience and perception from a sub-Saharan African setting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Use of WhatsApp®, for distance teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: Experience and perception from a sub-Saharan African setting |
| title_short | Use of WhatsApp®, for distance teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: Experience and perception from a sub-Saharan African setting |
| title_sort | use of whatsapp r for distance teaching during covid 19 pandemic experience and perception from a sub saharan african setting |
| topic | Distance education graduate education mobile applications online-learning perception social media |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02953-9 |
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