title: Student engagement in pharmacology courses using online learning tools.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess factors influencing student engagement with e-tools used as a learning supplement to the standard curriculum in pharmacology courses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A suite of 148 e-tools (interactive online teaching materials encompassing the basic mechanisms of action for different drug classes) were designed and implemented across 2 semesters for third-year pharmacy students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Student engagement and use of this new teaching strategy were assessed using a survey instrument and usage statistics for the material. Use of e-tools during semester 1 was low, a finding attributable to a majority (75%) of students either being unaware of or forgetting about the embedded e-tools and a few (20%) lacking interest in accessing additional learning materials. In contrast to semester 1, e-tool use significantly increased in semester 2 with the use of frequent reminders and announcements (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The provision of online teaching and learning resources were only effective in increasing student engagement after the implementation of a "marketing strategy" that included e-mail reminders and motivation.
authors: School of Pharmacy, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Abdullah
authors: A
authors: Karaksha
authors: Gary
authors: G
authors: Grant
authors: Shailendra
authors: S
authors: Anoopkumar-Dukie
authors: S Niru
authors: SN
authors: Nirthanan
authors: Andrew K
authors: AK
authors: Davey
mesh_terms: D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D012580:Schools, Pharmacy; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D013664:Teaching Materials
keywords: Internet; e-tools; engagement; online instruction; pharmacology
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