The perspectives of learners at a public medical school on the evaluation of an online learning management system for degree and non-degree courses

ABSTRACT

Background

There has been a rapid development and adoption of online learning in medical education. However, it is difficult to adopt the currently available online learning management systems (LMS). This study aimed to examine learners’ perspectives on the evaluation of online LMS.

Methods

An online LMS was developed based on the evidence-based guidelines. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted. A short survey was conducted with 716 learners registered on the LMS to obtain their perspectives on the online participation. A satisfaction survey was conducted with 255 learners enrolled in the courses taught solely online. Data from the LMS monitoring system was used to report the uptake of online courses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

Participants reported that the major factor influencing LMS uptake was the ability to be accessed anytime and anywhere (n = 556, 77.7%). The participants had good experience in using the LMS and were satisfied with it (n = 255, mean = 4.53, SD = 0.62). For online degree courses, the course had a high completion rate of 90% provided that a mark was assigned for course attendance. For non-degree courses, irrespective of whether they were free, paid, exam-based, or participation only, the completion rate was considered low (range 4.3–36.7%).

Conclusion

Under a limited budget, a medical school in a low- to middle-income country could develop an effective online LMS to meet learners’ needs. Our newly developed online LMS is relevant, accepted and to the satisfaction of the learners. Medical schools in the same context are encouraged to develop their own online LMS that serve and support learning in both degree and non-degree courses.

KEYWORDS:

• Online learning
• learning management system
• medical education
• continuing medical education
• continuing professional development

Acknowledgments

We thank all the other members of the KKUMEDX development team, production house team, and staff in Academic Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, for their assistance.

Data availability statement

The data from this research project are available upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

KKUMEDX version 1 and 2 are copyrighted to Khon Kaen University. Isaraporn Thepwongsa, Radhakrishnan Muthukumar, Sakda Waraassawapati, Kamonwan Jenwitheesuk, and Surapol Virasiri have patent #KKUMEDX versions 1 and 2 (online learning programs for non-degree and degree courses).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10872981.2023.2299535

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand under Grant Number IN63237.