E-readiness among first year medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya

Abstract

INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: E-readiness refers to the measurement of the degree of preparedness and willingness of a country to participate in the electronic world. In Sri Lanka there is a lack of research to measure the e-readiness among higher educational students. This study is done to assess the level of e-readiness among first year medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was given to all first year students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya in 2017. RESULTS: Among 155 students, 42.6% were males. All have used computers previously and 72% owned a personal laptop. 68% have been using computers more than once a week and another 21% at least once a month. Students’ perceptions on their ability to use computers were as follows: 21% as good, 68% as average and 10% as poor. 68% had formal computer training and 54% had at least some paper qualifications related to the training which they had undergone, where 41% had learnt Information Technology (IT) as a subject during O/Ls, 22% had followed a certificate level course and 5% had diplomas. All could search the web and had e-mail accounts. 96.8% had used the office package. 38.7% and 20.6% could edit videos and images respectively. CONCLUSION: All had used computers and e-mail accounts. Majority had a formal training and were capable of handling the office package.