ERIC Number: EJ1258945
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1947-380X
EISSN: N/A
Athletic Training Students' Perspectives and Performance When Learning Online
Winkelmann, Zachary K.; Eberman, Lindsey E.
Athletic Training Education Journal, v15 n2 p120-131 Apr-Jun 2020
Context: Technology continues to change throughout the world, and higher education is not absent from the adjustment. Athletic training educators should adapt to online learning opportunities that enhance the curriculum for their students. Objective: To explore athletic training students' thoughts and knowledge when learning through a distance education platform. Design: Cross-sectional, mixed-methods survey. Setting: Six professional postbaccalaureate athletic training programs. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 55 second-year athletic training students. Intervention(s): One-week asynchronous eLearning module focused on the background and use of telemedicine in health care. Main Outcome Measure(s): Participants completed the technology acceptance model tool before and after the module to gather their perspectives about online learning. During the eLearning module, knowledge acquisition was assessed with quizzes. Finally, a transactional distance theory tool including 2 open-ended response items was delivered at the end of the eLearning module. Results: We identified that participants had a low acceptance for technology at the onset of the study that improved after the eLearning intervention for the constructs of self-efficacy (P ΒΌ .010) and perceived ease of use (P .001) of eLearning technologies. The transactional distance tool highlighted that the facilitator and readings were helpful, which was also indicative of the scores on the module quizzes. We also identified benefits to eLearning from the student perspective, which included previous experiences, learning on their own time, and feelings that the module was productive to their growth as students. Some participants stated that the eLearning module presented too much work and was missing interaction, whereas others were neutral relative to the comparison between traditional and online learning. Conclusions: Overall, the results of this study identified that technology acceptance and transactional distance are important components of online learning. Athletic training educators should educate learners regarding the differences in online education requirements.
Descriptors: Athletics, Online Courses, Distance Education, Electronic Learning, Educational Technology, Student Attitudes, Self Efficacy, Difficulty Level, Graduate Students, Telecommunications, Allied Health Occupations Education
National Athletic Trainers' Association. 2952 Stemmons Freeway Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75247. Tel: 214-637-6282; Fax: 214-637-2206; e-mail: ATEdJournal@gmail.com; Web site: http://nataej.org/journal-information.htm
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Indiana
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A