A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL RESOURCES FOR E-LEARNING IN RADIOGRAPHY

Thesis Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTION1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDYThe Nigeria medical education sector has experience growth and development in teaching and learning. The focus of the study is on development of digital resources for e-learning in radiography. Digital Resources can be defined as materials that have been conceived and created digitally or by converting analogue materials to a digital format. The radiography’s Digital Resources collections encompass online resources that are hosted elsewhere, physical format publications, digital media files and born-digital resources.E-learning is the act of taking a course online using a modem, wireless, or cable connection to access academic course materials from a computer, phone or other devices.        According to Bermejo, (2005) stated that e-learning as education that uses computerized communication systems as an environment for communication, the exchange of information and interaction between student and instructors. E-learning centers on the intersection of education, teaching, and learning with ICT (Okoro, 2000).        On the other hand radiography, as with other health care professions, aims towards establishing full professional recognition. A recognized research background is considered an essential component of this, as research evidence provides input into various activities, such as clinical practice and policy making for the demonstration of professional accountability and autonomy (Wright KB, 2007). Usually, emphasis is placed on quantitative research which focuses on the deductive component of the scientific ‘confirmatory’ method, i.e. to reduce experience to well-defined variables in advance for investigation, since the philosophy of medical research in the beginning was positivism which described phenomena as they were experienced, i.e. empirical evidence. The study will try to achieve a practical approach to the development of digital resources for e-learning in radiography.1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMRadiography is a very important aspect in medicine. The effect is mostly seen in most of the developed countries than developing countries. Take Nigeria for example; most of the hospitals are not equipped with digital resources to facilitate e-learning in radiography. Secondly there have been studies on radiography but not even a single study has been carried out on a practical approach to the development of digital resources for e-learning in radiography.1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDYThe main aim of the research work is to examine the practical approach to the development of digital resources for e-learning in radiography. Other specific objectives of the study are:

1. to determine the relationship between digit resources and radiography study
2. to examine whether the use of digital resources will influence e-learning in radiography
3. to investigate on the factors affecting the approaches to the development of digital resources for e-learning in radiography
4. to proffer solution to the above problems

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONSThe study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives of study. The research questions for the study are:

1. What is the relationship between digit resources and radiography study?
2. Does the use of digital resources will influence e-learning in radiography?
3. What are the factors affecting the approaches to the development of digital resources for e-learning in radiography?

1.5 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESISH0: There is no significant difference between the use of self-paced e-learning and instructor-led and facilitated e-learning.H1: There is significant difference between the use of self-paced e-learning and instructor-led and facilitated e-learning1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDYThis study will be highly important to the government at all level, the parents, educational planners, decision and policy makers as well as other stakeholders in education. It will help in producing a healthy, literate self-reliant citizen that would create wealth for radiography. Through this study, the students as well as the teachers/lectures will be able to know the practical approach to the development of digital resources for e-learning in radiography. Finally the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge in this field of study and provide a basis for further research1.7 SCOPE OF STUDYThe study on practical approach to the development of digital resources for e-learning will be limited to the study of radiography1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDYFinancial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMSE-learning: learning conducted via electronic media, typically on the Internet.Education: the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university.Radiography: Radiography is an imaging technique using X-rays to view the internal form of an object