Evaluating E-Learning Maturity from the viewpoints of Medical Sciences Students

Introduction: Digitalization of education is considered  as  a major reforming in higher education. E-learning programs are increasingly seen as a way to reform in medical sciences education, giving access to ongoing learning and training without any time or geographical barriers. Technology is a powerful tool for effective teaching and deep learning. Therefore, the aim of this paper is evaluate e-learning maturity and rank e-learning dimensions in medical sciences. Methods: This applied, descriptive- survey research has been done in two phases in 2018. In the first phase e-learning dimensions of Michael Marshall Model were ranked by a panel of e-learning experts including ten members and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process method is used in this regards. In the second phase, e-learning maturity was evaluated in the target population by calculating weight of models ´dimension (first phase output). The survey sample population consisted of 365 students of medical science Universities in Shiraz and Tehran that were selected by simple random sampling. Data were analyzed using one sample t test, kolmogorov and Smirnov through SPSS. Results: according to the experts opinion by AHP planning and management as 2 dimensions of e- learning (0.32, 0.28) had respectively higher weight among other e-learning dimensions and by considering T-value (4.53,3.19,4.22,5.51,4.16) 5 basic E-learning processes (Learning(0.001), Development(0.019), Support (0.002), Evaluation(0.00) and Organization(0.002)) are located in acceptable level in medical education (Sig.<0.05) but delivery dimension of learning (0.067) and optimization dimension of organization (0.055) aren't located in acceptable level. Conclusion: based on results, medical universities have true movement toward deployment of effective e-learning in medical education. The weights of dimensions (the importance of planning and management) and detailed results showed, at first policymakers who work in the area of e-learning should be aware of the role of standardization and optimization. Understanding the importance of continuous improvement may help managers and policymakers to manage e-learning activities more effectively.