Comparing E-Learning and In-Person Teaching Methods for the Course “Clinical Aspects of Audiology” in Syrian Postgraduate Audiology Students

Background: Due to the lack of studies regarding e-learning in the academic field in Syria, this study was conducted to discuss the importance of e-learning and the probability of developing it. In this study, the researchers compared the effectiveness of traditional learning with e-learning regarding student acceptance of the scientific material and their practical and clinical experiences. Objectives: Study the efficacy of E-learning compared to traditional in-class learning for the Master of Audiology Students and assess the quality of e-learning as a substitute of traditional ways for post-graduate students. Methods: In the ۲۰۱۹/۲۰۲۰ academic year at the College of Health Sciences at Damascus University, traditional learning was applied to teach ۳۱ first-year audiology master's students on the clinical aspects of audiology. Subsequently, in the ۲۰۲۰/۲۰۲۱ academic year, e-learning was applied to teach ۲۹ first-year audiology master's students. A comparison was conducted between the two groups to assess student acceptance of the scientific material, their satisfaction with the teaching and evaluation methods using the Exact Fisher test, and the practical and clinical experiences they gained using the t-test to compare the results of their assessments. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (P > ۰.۰۵) regarding student acceptance of the subject, teaching methods, and evaluation process. However, students in the e-learning group reported feeling more comfortable dealing with the subject than those in the traditional learning group (P < ۰.۰۵). Additionally, traditional learning students exhibited a higher motivation level than their e-learning counterparts (P > ۰.۰۵). No statistically significant difference was found in terms of theoretical knowledge and practical experience gained between the two groups (P > ۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Both traditional learning and e-learning methods demonstrated efficacy in delivering scientific material and were well-received by students. Thus, e-learning proved effective as a useful and acceptable learning method in the Syrian academic field.

کلیدواژه ها:

motivation ، Computer-Assisted Instruction ، Audiology ، Universities ، Syria ، Students ، Personal Satisfaction