Availability of a virtual learning environment does not compensate for the lack of a physical facility

Abstract

A virtual learning environment (VLE), including access to on-line journals, was set up in support of a new medical curriculum delivered at two campuses. We evaluated student perceptions and use of the VLE including the library facilities using several qualitative and quantitative data methods and the results were triangulated. Paper copies of set texts are provided at each site; however, one site also has a traditional library for the training of professions allied to medicine. As the teaching was identical at each site, this gave us the opportunity for a study exploring the effect of having a physical library facility on the use of the VLE. Although ten-fold more loans were made from the library with the medical sources than from the other site, use of the VLE was very similar at both sites, suggesting that reduced access to hard copy books and journals was not compensated for by increased use of electronic library resources. As expected, training, ease of navigation and access to the VLE were very important to student satisfaction.

Funding

This project was funded by JISC.

Ethical approval

This project was carried out with approval from the Peninsula Medical School Ethics Committee.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jane McHarg

JANE MCHARG is a research fellow in the Institute of Clinical Education within the Peninsula Medical School. She has a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, and is now an educational researcher with a particular interest in selections and admissions, for which she is Academic Lead within the Medical School.

Lois Goding

LOIS GODING was previously a Lecturer in Health Visiting, having gained her PhD in the Department of Education and Professional Studies at the University of Reading. Her particular interests are in Education and Qualitative Research in health.

Elda Caldarone

ELDA CALDARONE is a qualified academic librarian. Previous to this project she worked at the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College, London, where she specialized in library training and digital libraries.

Sam Regan de Bere

SAM REGAN DE BERE is a post doctoral research fellow in the Institute of Clinical Education. With a PhD in Sociology, her interests include medical sociology, medical culture and the use of innovative methodologies in medical education research.

John McLachlan

JOHN MCLACHLAN is Academic Dean of Undergraduate Medicine, Durham University and was previously Professor of Medical Education at Peninsula Medical School. He is a National Teaching Fellow and works with the GMC on their professional assessment and revalidation programmes.