Online Education: Student Pharmacist Exposure and Perceptions

Background: The use of online learning methods is increasing in higher education and being adopted by pharmacy educators. Aims: The objective of this study was to assess past exposure to online learning and interest in learning via pre-recorded online lectures with or without live active learning among student pharmacists. Methods: An anonymous online survey was self-administered to third-year students enrolled in the Drug Information and Literature Evaluation course. Results: The response rate was 98.3%. Forty percent of respondents had prior experience with at least one online course during their undergraduate curriculum; 36% were science courses. Most students preferred to view lectures online rather than live inclass, but 26% expressed no preference. Seventy percent felt they would be able to keep current with a course with online lectures, but desired an in-person component. Conclusion: Student pharmacists have familiarity with and openness to online methods of learning within the pharmacy curriculum.