Students' Engagement in and Perceptions of Blended Learning in a Clinical Module in a Veterinary Degree Program

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Education
• Higher Education Pedagogy
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Blended learning, integrating face-to-face and online methods, is gaining traction in higher education.
• Professional programs like veterinary medicine require flexible learning to accommodate diverse student activities and competency development.
• Understanding veterinary students' engagement and perceptions of blended learning is crucial for optimizing its implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate student engagement and perceptions of a blended learning approach in a veterinary medicine clinical module.
• To identify specific features of blended learning that support or hinder the student learning experience.
• To explore the potential of blended learning for enhancing student-led learning in clinical veterinary education.

Main Methods:

• A 4-week clinical module in a veterinary degree program utilized a blended learning format.
• Student feedback was gathered via a structured online questionnaire and routine teaching audit log data.
• Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to analyze student perceptions and engagement with blended learning components.

Main Results:

• Veterinary students reported benefits from both face-to-face teaching and online resources.
• Face-to-face sessions were valued for practical activities, while online resources facilitated organization and flexible access to materials.
• The blended approach was particularly effective for clinical skills, with students appreciating the combination of visual resources and hands-on practice.

Conclusions:

• Blended learning demonstrates potential for enhancing student-led learning in clinical veterinary courses.
• While effective, limitations in online resources require careful consideration during blended course design.
• Optimizing blended learning requires balancing the strengths of in-person interaction with the flexibility of digital tools.