TECHNOLOGY IN PHARMACY EDUCATION Student Pharmacists' Use and Perceived Impact of Educational Technologies

Objective.To assess the frequency of use by and perceived impact of various educational technologieson student pharmacists.Methods.Data were obtained using a validated, Web-based survey instrument designed to evaluate thefrequency of use and impact on learning of various technologies used in educating first-, second-, andthird-year student pharmacists. Basic demographic data also were collected and analyzed.Results. The majority (89.4%) of the 179 respondents were comfortable with the technology used in theacademic program. The most frequently used technologi es for educational purposes were in class electronicpresentations, course materials posted on the school Web site, and e-mail. The technologies cited as havingthe most beneficial impact on learning were course mate rials posted on the Web site and in-class electronicpresentations, and those cited as most detrimental w ere video-teleconferencing and online testing. Com-pared to the course textbook, students reported more fr equent use of technologies such as electronic coursematerials, presentations, digital lecture recordings, e-mail, and hand-held devices.Conclusions. Because students’ opinions of educational techn ologies varied, colleges and schools shouldincorporate educational technol ogies that students frequently use and that positively impact learning.