Effectiveness of digital learning versus traditional learning among undergraduate students - Prescription writing

Abstract

Background: Researchers of education constantly explore the impact of learning environment in relation to learning outcome. The social and communicative interaction between teacher and student has been an important part of classroom teaching. Now, there has been a change in electronic education due to favorable online environment due to increased Internet connectivity, speed, and accessibility. Aims and Objective: The aim of the study was to know the difference in outcome between traditional and online learning among medical undergraduate students. Materials and Methods: After the Institutional Ethical Committee clearance, this study was done on 2nd year MBBS students. A total of 102 students were participated in the study. In a pre-test, a case scenario was given to all the students and they were asked to write the prescription for that case within 15 min. Then, the students were divided into two groups of 51 each. The first group (traditional learning) was provided with textbooks and the second group (online learning) was provided Internet facility. 45 min time was given to each group to use the respective facility and then was asked to write the prescription. The prescription written was analyzed using the suitable checklist. Results: The study result shows that there was a significant improvement in both online learning and traditional learning methods. The improvement noted in the post-test was more in online learning when compared to traditional learning method and this was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: It was observed that online learning was better than traditional textbook-based learning. The nature of teaching and learning by incorporating new technology will redefine and oppose the superficial learning. Digital learning supports deeper and self-directed learning.