Die Integration von Tablet-Computern in das Medizinstudium. Teil 1: Eine Umfragestudie unter den Studierenden der Medizinischen Fakultät der Universität Münster

Abstract

Students of medicine frequently make use of tablet computers for educational purposes. So the landscape of digital mobile learning behavior should be explored in depth. Moreover the faculty wants to know their students’ needs to give them more support. This study among students of the medical faculty of the University of Münster examined the way they use smartphones and tablet computers as well as their expectations regarding lectures, the organization of courses and the communication with teachers. 942 students of medicine and dentistry took part in this online survey. 35% owned a tablet and a further 9% planned to buy one. 62% of the students stated that tablets could be of good use for learning. 63% said that smartphones and tablets would distract them in class sessions. 84% used their smartphone or tablet for the organization of courses or for searching information. 75% said they would use their smartphone or tablet for collaborative work. More than half (58%) used their device in preparation for exams. 51% annotated lecture slides with their device and 45% used E-Books. 41% took personal notes with the mobile device and 33% enrolled in a faculty’s e-learning course. Furthermore it was investigated which sources of information students use and what they need to organise their courses. The survey showed that mobile computers are widespread amongst students. They use the device as a single point of mobile access to all kinds of study related resources such as electronic textbooks. The mobile access to information will have a strong impact on medical education and the faculty and the library are already working on the integration and embedding of the necessary resources.

Keywords

• tablets
• medicine
• course organisation
• students
• library