A Case of Online Teaching and Learning during COVID-19 in Medical Laboratory Science Education and Training in Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos

N. S. Etukudoh,M. U. Obeta,R. O. Ejinaka

doi:10.4038/seajme.v14i2.277

Abstract

Online teaching and learning in medical laboratory science have been neglected over the years. The current situation of COVID-19 pandemic is an eye opener to encourage online learning in medical laboratory science considering the lock down for more than seven months in Nigeria and other parts of the world in medical laboratory training and education using the conventional classroom and face to face teaching and mentoring. The possible online teaching and learning platforms are Google duo, Webex Meet, Canvas Student, Skype, WhatsApp, Hangouts, Google meeting, Google classroom, GoToMeeting, Microsoft Teams and Zoom. The medical laboratory science or other medical science education institutions or regulatory agencies may choose two or three platforms from the list or develop another App to suit their curriculum. This article takes a close look at online learning in relation to medical laboratory science towards encouraging the training institutions and regulatory agencies of the profession for another look at online teaching learning for medical laboratory science as Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos-Nigeria commences online learning programme using WhatsApp and Zoom during the coronavirus period. It is evident that online teaching and learning is on the increase since the onset of coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria and in Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos in particular.

Highlights

Online teaching and e-learning employs the use of computer and other digital technologies to deliver education and training thereby enabling learning and improvement of performance among the students or trainees
The experience in the online learning as observed in Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science Jos agrees with positions of Holmes and Reid (2017), AlQahtani (2019) Murillo et al, 2020, Izet (2008), and Bao (2020) in the area of perspectives of online/virtual learning, advantages and disadvantages, improvements in outcome both in lecturers and students
Very important to consider e-learning in medical laboratory science education based on appropriate relevance of courses based on curriculum which shall describe the quantity, difficulty, and length of teaching content

Summary

Introduction

Online teaching and e-learning employs the use of computer and other digital technologies to deliver education and training thereby enabling learning and improvement of performance among the students or trainees. Various institutions are bound to develop their online teaching platforms based on the learning objectives and curriculum of study, medical laboratory science for example. Learner-centred content: Online curricula should be relevant and specific to learners’ needs, roles and responsibilities to provide skills, knowledge and information in medical laboratory science profession.

Results

Conclusion