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This study examined university students? attitudes towards and skill levels ofusing social networking sites to promote public health information online. Data were collectedfrom the student participants who were health professionals from six different countries. Theparticipants were given surveys before and after their training. The surveys assessed: (1) theircomfort levels in using social networking sites, (2) their attitudes towards online health informationdissemination, and (3) their ability to create effective online health information sites. A HealthSciences faculty member worked with an instructional designer and technologist to create a trainingvideo and guidelines for designing effective online websites. Training materials were posted to theonline course area. Working in collaborative teams, the student participants developed onlinehealth social networking sites that targeted global health education issues. Competence and skilllevel of students were assessed using project-based learning criteria. Results of the study reveal:(1) participants have a high comfort level in using social networking sites, (2) participants, ingeneral, have positive attitudes toward online health information, and (3) participants are highlycompetent in creating online health information sites. |
