The Challenges of E-Learning Faces in Medical Sciences Education from the Viewpoints of the Academic Staff

Background:   By the development of E-learning in the world and also in Iran, Tabriz University of Medical Science has been implementing and expanding E-learning. The investigation of its problems from the academic staffs’ viewpoints, and proposing solutions in order to solve or eliminate the problem effects add to its advantages and provide sustainable basis according to the necessity of changing traditional education toward E-learning. Methods: The present research is a descriptive study and the population under investigation involves the academic staff of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences who were selected randomly. The Validity and reliability of the questionnaires were evaluated and SPSS.15 software was used in order to analyze the data. Results: Problems were classified into six approaches and twenty-four cases. The average of the administrative approach scores was 13.18±1.96, electronic approach 11.66±2.32, educational approach 13.39±2.22, economical approach 9.62±2.09, cultural and psychological approaches 20.43±2.53 and finally social and cooperative approaches were calculated to be 10.09±1.97. Conclusions: The teaching board members believe that they do not have enough time or skills for compiling and evaluating E-learning materials and there is no proper culture for this, the attitude should be changed. Finally not only should the professors learn how to compile, use and to take rapid feedback, but it is also essential that they recognize their new roles (as learning facilitators) in realizing and expanding their mode of education, by their imaginative creations. Of course attendance of the professors without support of the universities and proper planning for enhancing the relationship between the professors and staff of information technology are not logical.

Keywords:

E-learning , Learning problems , Medical education , Academic Staff