HOW ATTITUDES TOWARDS E-LEARNING AFFECTED THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: AN EXAMPLE OF A NURSING SKILLS TEACHING

Abstract

It is known that the students' attitudes toward e-learning are an important factor in achieving the targeted learning achievement. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between attitudes toward e-learning and the academic achievements of first-year nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with a total of 135 first-year nursing students at a Department of Nursing in the Faculty of Health Sciences in Turkey. The total mean score of the first-year NSs' general attitude scale toward e-learning was found to be 52.58±15.93. A statistically negative correlation was found between the "avoidance of e‐learning" factor and the NSs' vital signs skills general achievement scores (r=-0.185; p= .035). Gender (β1= 5.399, p= 0.001), receiving adequate counseling and help on using the e-learning platform (β1=4.895, p= 0.022) and avoidance of e‐learning (β1= -0.222 p=0.046) explained 20.9% of the variance in vital signs overall achievement score. Negative attitudes and negative satisfaction with e-learning may lead to a decrease in e-learning academic achievement.