Exploring social networking sites and problem-based learning in healthcare education in Taiwan: a difference analysis
ISSN: 0368-492X
Article publication date: 25 May 2021
Issue publication date: 22 February 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to examine whether the use of wiki-systems in healthcare internship courses that adopt a problem-based learning approach may have significant influences on the relationships among students' relationship commitment, knowledge-sharing behavior and perceived problem-based learning performance in the context of higher education.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a quasi-experimental approach. Cross-sectional survey data collected from 187 undergraduate students in Taiwan were used for the data analysis procedures. The students in the experimental group used wiki-systems and a set of information and communication technologies as learning tools, while the students in the control group used the same set of information and communication technologies only. The statistical techniques of independent t-tests and component-based structural equation modeling were adopted to examine the research hypotheses.
Findings
The results reveal significant differences between the experimental and control groups concerning relationship commitment, knowledge-sharing behavior, independent study and active participation. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding group interaction and reasoning skills. Additionally, all the hypotheses regarding the relationships among constructs were supported.
Originality/value
Wiki-systems have unique features that can enhance the effectiveness of problem-based learning activities. This study is among the first to investigate how wiki-systems may affect the effectiveness of problem-based learning processes by investigating the relationships among healthcare students' relationship commitment, knowledge-sharing behavior and perceived problem-based learning performance. The results of this study can advance the current understanding of the effectiveness of wiki-based problem-based learning in the context of healthcare education.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors want to thank the editor and all anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions. The authors also gratefully acknowledge Professor H.-J. Hwang, Associate Professor J.-X. Yao, and Assistant Professor Y.-P. Lee and all people who provided valuable insights and information to this paper.
Funding: This research was funded by Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan [grant number: MOST 107-2511-H-006-005-MY2].
Disclosure statement: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Citation
Wang, W.-T. and Lin, Y.-L. (2022), "Exploring social networking sites and problem-based learning in healthcare education in Taiwan: a difference analysis", Kybernetes, Vol. 51 No. 3, pp. 1231-1249. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-08-2020-0535
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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