Assessing Faculty Perception of E-educational Environment using Modified E-Learning Educational Atmosphere Measure (M-EEAM)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate E-learning educational atmosphere through perceptions of the dental faculty by using the Modified E-learning Educational Atmosphere Measure (M-EEAM).

Methodology: A quantitative study employing the Modified E-Learning Educational Atmosphere Measure (M-EEAM) instrument was carried out with 40 faculty members at Foundation University College of Dentistry in 2020. The EEAM instrument was modified according to our culture and context. Validation of the modified instrument was done by a pilot study amongst 12 faculty members. The final instrument (M-EEAM) consisted of 20 questions covering six factors in a 6-point Likert scale. The content and construct validity of the instrument were evaluated. Cronbach's alpha and test-retest were also employed to investigate the instrument's internal consistency and reliability. SPSS software was used to analyse the data.

Results: The six areas covered by the final instrument (M-EEAM) included Program efficacy; education quality, Professionalism and ethics; student support, Safety and accessibility and awareness of guidelines. A pilot study of the 28 item questions was distributed amongst 12 faculty members, excluding 8 items with low construct validity in our context in culture. The content validity ratio was greater than 0.52 and all questions' content validity index score of was above 0.82. Test-retest reliability calculated to be 0.82 (p=0.001) and Cronbach’s alpha was 0.842 calculated after pilot study and expert validation. 

Conclusion: M-EEAM gives objectivity for evaluating dental faculty perception of the E-educational environment. M-EEAM is a recommended and reliable tool to measure the e-learning educational environment in our cultural context.