The summer school students’ viewpoints about important factors in learning, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: The main goal of education is learning and change in behaviorwhich has been revolutionized in the 21st century due to the rapid andwidespread changes in science. The traditional approach to education doesno longer meet the learners’ needs, necessitating new changes in educational curricula. This study was designed to determine the factors influencing learning in the 21st century and find out the students’ viewpoints on this issue.Methods: This is a descriptive study aiming at determining the students’ views on new approaches to learning in the 21st century. To do so, a researcher-made questionnaire was designed. It contained 30 questions in 3 sections including demographic data, background questions and two open questions about their suggestions and criticisms. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire was pilot-tested and measured, which proved to be describable. 150 students participating in university summer schools in Shiraz were enrolled. The questionnaires were sent to the students in person and through electronic mails. The students were asked to return the completed questionnaires to the given email address. The data were analyzed in SPSS, version 14, using descriptive statistics of frequency, mean, percentage and standard deviation, one sample t-test. p<0. 05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: 150 questionnaires were appropriately filled out and given to theresearchers. The results indicated that, according to the students, 6 factorsincluding the use of computer in teaching, enhancement of virtual learning,the use of mobile in relations, enjoyment of electronic learning contexts, the learning focus on attitudes and the facilitating role of the lectures were the most influential factors in learning. On the other hand, the government’s responsibility and responsiveness, creativity and risk taking, increase in the social relationship among the learners, focus on practical skills, and management were considered as the least influential factors in learning in the 21st century.Conclusion: It seems that the students philosophically tend to approveconstructivism and cooperative learning which is learner-centered ascompared to conventional education which is teacher-contended. Accordingto experts, this type of viewpoint is in the same line with new approaches toteaching and education in the present era. Moreover, it impacts the reforms, complementation and expansion of methodology greatly.Keywords: Learning, Summer school, Students, View points