Teaching in the Era of COVID: A comparison between media platforms

Abstract

Introduction: When it comes to using social media in pharmacy education, Facebook and Twitter are very popular. Methods: Instagram and Twitter accounts were created to complement formal teaching beyond core course hours in a fully online Communication in Pharmacy Practice course. The current study was conducted to assess students’ perceptions of the incorporation of social media platforms in teaching the course. It provided a comparison between the use of Blackboard, Instagram and Twitter in course delivery.     Results: Out of the total 70 students enrolled in the course, 67 students completed the online questionnaire. Blackboard was preferred for academic use (44 students, or 65.7%), delivery of course announcements (36, or 53.7%), course core materials (34, or 50.7%) and provided the highest level of privacy (31, or 46.3%). On the other hand, Twitter was the most preferred for personal use (43, or 64.2%), delivery of extra-curricular materials (36, or 53.7%), discussion (36, or 53.7%), and was found to be the most convenient (62.7%), user friendly (41, or 61.2%) and provided the best notifications (alerts) (33, or 49.3%). The vast majority “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that social media enhanced communication with peers (52, or 77.6 %) and with the course instructor (54, or 80.6%).     Conclusion: This evaluation demonstrated that students value social media use in teaching a fully online course, especially in the delivery of extra-curricular materials and discussions.