STUDENT PERCEPTION OF TECHNOLOGY USABILITY WITHIN A CO-CURRICULAR TRAINING PROGRAM

Introduction:
St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and its Urban Institute have developed a high school student enrichment program with a mentorship component. Students enrolled into the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Program serve as mentors to participating high school students. Prospective PharmD student mentors undergo intensive training to prepare them for their roles. In light of the demands of their schedule, the training program was developed as an online learning experience that can be customized to fit the student mentor’s schedule.

Program Description:
PharmD student mentors are enrolled in an intensive Mentor Training program that is conducted concurrently to the high school student enrichment program. The Mentor Training program consists of three modules, which provide mentors with information on the objectives and expectations of the program, instructional interactive learning activities and case-based discussions. All modules are delivered as an online learning activity on the Blackboard Learning Management System platform. The overall aims of the Mentor Training Program are to:
• Provide structured training sessions to ensure consistency in the PharmD student mentors' understanding and knowledge of mentoring;
• Provide guidance and support for student pharmacist mentors;
• Enhance student pharmacist mentors confidence/competence in their ability to serve as mentors;
• Promote sensitivity and awareness to workforce diversity within the pharmacy profession among current PharmD candidates.

Study Objective:
1) Determine students’ perception of the usefulness of the technologies used in the delivery of this online learning activity
2) Determine students’ perception on the ease of use of the technologies in the delivery of this online learning activity
3) Determine students’ satisfaction with technologies used in the delivery of this online learning activity

Study Population:
Doctor of pharmacy students enrolled in their 4th-6th year at St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Methods:
Applications for mentorship participation in the Changing Faces of Pharmacy: Student Enrichment Program are sent to the pharmacy students at the beginning of the Fall semester of the academic year. Members of the Urban Institute board reviews applications. A face-to-face informational session is conducted with prospective mentors to explain the details and expectations of the program. PharmD student mentors then participate in three themed training modules throughout the year. Modules are delivered through the Blackboard Learning Management System and technologies such as VoiceThread, Panopto, and Webex are used to conduct program activities and discussions. Students will be surveyed via Blackboard Survey tool to collect data on the efficacy of the training tools and methods. Survey questions will be assessing student perception of the usability of technologies and leaning management system.

Results:
There are currently 12 student mentors participating in the training program that is currently taking place. Full results will be analyzed upon completion of the program.

Conclusion: Pending results.