Introduction
The use of technology in healthcare settings has been a growing trend in the modern era. Various technological advances have been improving healthcare-related processes, from training new nurses and doctors to supporting patient care. During and after the coronavirus pandemic, an increasing number of students and teachers have been shifting toward technology-assisted lessons. Hence, it is possible to identify one technology-based learning experience and to reflect on it critically.
Technology-Assisted Education
Tools
Firstly, it is essential to analyze the diversity of technology-assisted instructional approaches. One of these approaches can help students attain self-learning abilities through games. Interactive social skill games effectively teach children discipline by requiring them to follow rules and conventions to play (Haleem et al., 2022, p. 278). Since playing games is fun in and of itself, even kids who are dissatisfied with other learning techniques may continue to do so for a long time.
Another teaching approach that has gained more prevalence is the use of e-books. With technological advancements, students may now find information more quickly and accurately. The use of digital technologies in educational settings can enhance students’ data literacy skills, enabling them to find relevant data more efficiently. Moreover, it teaches them how to interact with their teachers and classmates ethically through technological means (Haleem et al., 2022, p. 278). Hence, some of the recent advancements in technology-assisted instruction are games and e-books, which increase students’ self-learning and information-searching skills.
Government Initiatives
However, certain factors can affect the adoption of these advancements. One of the most significant stakeholders in this regard is the government, as it plans infrastructure, allocates funding, and approves or disapproves specific programs and methods. The creation of infrastructure, the availability of digital material, and the choice of resources are prerequisites for ICT integration across educational levels (Timotheou et al., 2023, p. 6712).
The quality and quantity of educational activities are improved explicitly in schools with high-quality broadband connections. The use of information and communication technology (ICT) resources, including software and hardware, increases the possibility that teachers will incorporate technology into their curriculum to enhance their teaching methods. Moreover, government initiatives affect teachers’ attitudes toward ICT, which in turn influences the frequency of usage of embedded ICT.
Lastly, the government may approve and support the usage of learning resources based on their quality. For instance, several nations are funding websites that serve as repositories, allowing teachers to share resources or add their own (Timotheou et al., 2023, p. 6713). Thus, one of the factors affecting the introduction of ICT in healthcare education is the government.
Digital Literacy Skills
However, the integration of technology-assisted instructional practices is heavily influenced by the digital literacy skills of people who will be using them. Digital literacy has been defined as the abilities and skills necessary for navigating a fragmented and complex information ecosystem (Tinmaz et al., 2022, p. 2). This is one of the problems of integrating technology into academic courses.
Due to the constant advancement and changes in information technology, basic skills in this field are essential in the current landscape of healthcare education. A student’s or medical professional’s practice may be negatively affected should they lack the necessary abilities to interact with software and hardware. Hence, digital literacy skills are essential for utilizing and comprehending ICT, and a lack of them can lead to negative consequences for practitioners.
Designing a Library App for Medical Students
Overview
Thus, by understanding the various technology-assisted instruction methods and the factors that influence them, it is possible to design one. One way learning and practice can become more efficient is through the creation of an easy-to-access online library app with integrated learning activities. As both learners and practitioners deal with large amounts of information, a quick and convenient way to access the relevant information will be beneficial.
Moreover, if a user accesses the app as an instructor, they can create and send out relevant quizzes and learning activities for their students. This way, learners will be able to acquire the necessary information, assess their existing knowledge, and develop valuable data-searching skills. Hence, the proposed ICT-based learning experience for medical students is a library app that incorporates additional learning activities and assessments.
Requirements
However, users will need a specific skill set if they intend to utilize all the app’s functions. Basic digital literacy is a prerequisite for this learning experience, as it heavily depends on it. Thus, users are expected to be able to find and analyze information, meaning they should know how to enter the correct search keywords and filters, as well as locate relevant books and articles. Hence, the usage of the app will depend on the user’s digital literacy skills.
Another important factor with the chosen learning approach is its accessibility. As most medical students and practitioners possess smartphones, they will be able to download and use the app. Without a doubt, such a large depository of information cannot be stored on the device, so a network connection is also required when using it.
However, in the case where the user does not have a smartphone, the app will have a website version, making it accessible from a computer. With that, a student will be able to use either their personal computer or a computer at the library. Hence, the technology is accessible with a phone or a personal computer.
This technology will require functionality that assists new users and assesses its performance. The app will include a support function to assist new users who struggle with the interface and functionality. Moreover, the support function will also gather data for evaluating the technology.
The data to be used in this evaluation can be gathered through users’ communication with the app’s support team. For this to be considered ethical, users will be informed of this after downloading and running the app for the first time, and their consent will be required. Hence, for the purposes of helping the users and gathering evaluation data, the technology will have a function to contact support.
Conclusion
Thus, technology-based learning approaches are a growing trend in healthcare education. The variety of applications that digital technologies have is great, with e-books and video games being only a few examples. However, the adoption of these technologies is heavily affected by the government through the availability of necessary infrastructure, policies, and approvals for digital resources. Moreover, a lack of digital literacy skills can have detrimental effects on practitioners because they are required to use and understand ICT. With those factors in mind, creating an online library app with additional functionalities can prove beneficial for doctors and students, thereby improving their work and learning processes. To summarize, the applications of ICT in medical education bring substantial value to it and are likely to bring even more in the future.
Reference List
Haleem, A. et al. (2022) ‘Understanding the role of digital technologies in education: A review’, Sustainable Operations and Computers, 3, pp.275–285.
Timotheou, S. et al. (2023) ‘Impacts of digital technologies on education and factors influencing schools’ digital capacity and transformation: A literature review’, Education and Information Technologies, 28(6), pp. 6695–6726.
Tinmaz, H. et al. (2022) ‘A systematic review on digital literacy‘, Smart Learning Environments, 9(21), pp. 1–18.