Page 281 - International Perspectives on Effective Teaching and Learning in Digital Education

Exploring Student Perspectives on E-Learning in Nursing Education

Impact on Student Engagement and Interaction
This theme highlights the ways in which e-learning affected students‘ ability
to engage actively with both their peers and instructors, reflecting the social
and cognitive challenges of e-learning. While the virtual environment offered
convenience, it also introduced barriers to effective communication, focus,
and active participation.
One of the prominent issues identified by students was the decrease in
face-to-face interaction, which impacted their ability to engage fully with
both their peers and instructors. This lack of in-person socialisation was high-
lighted as a significant drawback, as students missed the opportunity to en-
gage in discussions and collaborative activities. One student expressed this
sentiment, stating:
The negative aspect for me was mainly the lack of communication, which
led to a weaker relationship with other students. We hardly knew each
other by the end of the term. [FG3]
Another student elaborated on the difficulty in connecting with instruc-
tors, saying that:
It was harder to get feedback and clarification immediately. You had to
email or wait for a response, unlike in class where you could just ask. [FG]

This limitation in spontaneous interaction added to a sense of isolation
and diminished the collaborative learning experience. Students also faced
numerous distractions in the home environment, which hindered their abil-
ity to concentrate fully on their studies. The absence of a formal classroom
setting, combined with household obligations, often made it challenging for
students to remain focused. One student commented:

It was hard to concentrate at home. There were always family members
around, and it’s easy to get distracted with other things like cooking or
even using the phone during lectures. [FG4]

Another student shared similar concerns, saying:
I found it hard to keep my attention on the lecture for long periods,
especially when it was all on a screen. [FG1]
This lack of focus not only affected their learning experience but also led to
gaps in knowledge retention. Furthermore, the structure of e-learning, as ex-
perienced by these nursing students, often led to a tendency toward passive
participation, where students engaged less actively compared to in-person

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