Maternity Students' Perception of Virtual Lab Education Environment Based on Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) Questionnaire

Abstract

Background : The achievement of learning goals via practical laboratory could be limited by laboratory time, incurred cost, safety, self-efficacy and inadequate staff so prior preparation of learners is very important in maternity nursing field. Hence, virtual laboratory simulation (vLAB) may be an appropriate E-learning tool to overcome these restrictions and the accomplishment of competence. Aim: To assess maternity students’ perceptions of virtual Lab education environment based on DREEM Questionnaire. Design: This is an analytic descriptive study. Subjects: A simple random sample technique was used to recruit 132 Maternal and neonatal health nursing students registered in the 3rd year at academic year 2022-2023, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University. Setting: This study was carried out at Virtual lab learning environment that allocated inside E learning platform for maternal and neonatal health nursing department at faculty of nursing, Ain Shams University, Egypt. Tool: two tools were used a self administrative interviewing questionnaire and the DREEM questionnaire. Results : The total mean score for maternity students’ perception of the virtual lab education environment using (DREEM) Questionnaire were 115.0±.23.02 and 110.3±17.4; for female and male students respectively. Indicating a ‘more positive than negative’ perception of the virtual lab educational environment, also there was statistical significant deference between male and female students regarding their' perception of the virtual Lab learning domain ( p=0.02). As 45.5% and 38.9% of female and male students respectively viewed that virtual lab learning is more positive. Where there was no statistically significant differences were detected in other domains. Moreover regarding the students' perception of staff responsible for virtual Lab, (44.7% and 44.4%) of female and male students respectively viewed that staff providing good direction for virtual lab. In addition regarding the students' academic self -perceptions after using virtual Lab (43.8% and 43.5%) of female and male students respectively were Feeling more on the positive side after using virtual Lab experiment. Regarding to the students' perceptions of virtual Lab atmosphere (44.6% and 44.4%) of female and male students respectively had positive attitude with Virtual Lab learning. Concerning students’ social self-perception with using virtual Lab according to DREEM subscale (67% and 67.6%) of female and male students respectively mentioned that Virtual Lab learning isn't a nice place. Concerning percentage distribution of the maternity students regarding total DREEM score .This study showed that 46.9% and 47.2% of female and male students respectively viewed that virtual lab has plenty problems Conclusion : The total mean score for maternity students’ perception of the virtual lab education environment using (DREEM) Questionnaire were 115.0±.23.02 and 110.3±17.4; for female and male students respectively. Indicating a ‘more positive than negative’ perception of the virtual lab educational environment, with statistical significant deference between male and female students regarding their' perception of the virtual Lab learning domain where there was no statistically significant differences were detected in other domains. Although the overall questionnaire score was showed to be “more positive than negative” there were slightly more than two thirds of the students mentioned that Virtual Lab learning isn't a nice place. Also 46.9% and 47.2% of female and male students respectively viewed that virtual lab has plenty problems Recommendation: in the light of the previous results this study recommended that