Perceptions of Medical Students Concerning Online Education
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to online education systems worldwide, significantly affecting traditional learning environments. This study examines the perceptions and experiences of medical students at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS) during the enforced online education period, exploring the efficacy and challenges of this sudden transition.
Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess medical students' perceptions of online education, their engagement with various digital tools, and the effectiveness of online learning during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a non-probability convenience sampling method at LUMHS. The study spanned one month and included undergraduate medical students who consented to participate. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect data on students' demographics, their experiences with online classes, and the challenges faced. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethical Review Committee of LUMHS. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, and Chi-square tests to assess the relationships between variables.
Results: The study comprised 328 participants with a gender distribution of 40.55% male and 59.45% female. Age groups were 18-20 (30.48%), 21-22 (33.55%), and 23-24 (35.97%). Most students preferred online sessions of 40-45 minutes, with significant dissatisfaction reported regarding the educational effectiveness of online learning compared to traditional methods. Technical issues, internet connectivity, and inadequate electrical supplies were significant barriers encountered.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the challenges and limitations of sudden transitions to online learning. Despite the proactive measures by educational institutions and government bodies, students faced significant hurdles that impacted their learning experiences. Future educational strategies should consider these insights to enhance the design and delivery of online education, ensuring it is more robust and effective.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Menon UK, Gopalakrishnan S, Ramachandran R, Baby P, Sasidharan A, Radhakrishnan N. Perceptions of Undergraduate Medical Students Regarding Institutional Online Teaching-Learning Programme. Medical Journal Armed Forces India. 2021 Feb 1;77:S227-33.
Mishra L, Gupta T, Shree A. Online Teaching-Learning in Higher Education During Lockdown Period of COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Educational Research Open. 2020 Jan 1;1:100012.
Adnan M, Anwar K. Online Learning Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Students' Perspectives. Online Submission. 2020;2(1):45-51.
Peimani N, Kamalipour H. Online Education and the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Case Study of Online Teaching During Lockdown. Education Sciences. 2021 Feb;11(2):72.
Aboagye E, Yawson JA, Appiah KN. COVID-19 and E-Learning: The Challenges of Students in Tertiary Institutions. Social Education Research. 2021:1-8.
Rajab MH, Gazal AM, Alkattan K. Challenges to Online Medical Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Cureus. 2020 Jul;12(7).
Baticulon RE, Sy JJ, Alberto NR, Baron MB, Mabulay RE, Rizada LG, Tiu CJ, Clarion CA, Reyes JC. Barriers to Online Learning in the Time of COVID-19: A National Survey of Medical Students in the Philippines. Medical Science Educator. 2021 Apr;31(2):615-26.
Sarwar H, Akhtar H, Naeem MM, Khan JA, Waraich K, Shabbir S, Hasan A, Khurshid Z. Self Reported Effectiveness of E-Learning Classes During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nation-Wide Survey of Pakistani Undergraduate Dentistry Students. European Journal of Dentistry. 2020 Oct 1.
Abbasi S, Ayoob T, Malik A, Memon SI. Perceptions of Students Regarding E-Learning During COVID-19 at a Private Medical College. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences. 2020 May;36(COVID19-S4):S57.
Dost S, Hossain A, Shehab M, Abdelwahed A, Al-Nusair L. Perceptions of Medical Students Towards Online Teaching During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Cross-Sectional Survey of 2721 UK Medical Students. BMJ Open. 2020 Nov 1;10(11):e042378.
Agustina PZ, Cheng TH. How Students’ Perspectives About Online Learning Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic? Studies in Learning and Teaching. 2020 Dec 23;1(3):133-9.
Wang C, Wang W, Wu H. Association Between Medical Students’ Prior Experiences and Perceptions of Formal Online Education Developed in Response to COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study in China. BMJ Open. 2020 Oct 1;10(10):e041886.
Nepal S, Atreya A, Menezes RG, Joshi RR. Students’ Perspective on Online Medical Education Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nepal. Age (in years). 2020 Nov 14;20(40):17-7.
Alsoufi A, Alsuyihili A, Msherghi A, Elhadi A, Atiyah H, Ashini A, Ashwieb A, Ghula M, Ben Hasan H, Abudabuos S, Alameen H. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Education: Medical Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Electronic Learning. PloS One. 2020 Nov 25;15(11):e0242905.
Bączek M, Zagańczyk-Bączek M, Szpringer M, Jaroszyński A, Wożakowska-Kapłon B. Students’ Perception of Online Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey Study of Polish Medical Students. Medicine. 2021 Feb 19;100(7).
Ibrahim NK, Al Raddadi R, AlDarmasi M, Al Ghamdi A, Gaddoury M, AlBar HM, Ramadan IK. Medical Students’ Acceptance and Perceptions of E-Learning During the Covid-19 Closure Time in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. Journal of Infection and Public Health. 2021 Jan 1;14(1):17-23.
Daroedono E, Siagian FE, Alfarabi M, Cing JM, Arodes ES, Sirait RH, Suryowati T, Sunarti LS, Ahmad LN, Wiyanto M, Kurniaty L. The Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Education: Our Students Perception on the Practice of Long Distance Learning. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health. 2020;7(7):2790-6.
Khan IA. Electronic Learning Management System: Relevance, Challenges, and Preparedness. Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research. 2020;7(5):471-80.
Rotas EE, Cahapay MB. Difficulties in Remote Learning: Voices of Philippine University Students in the Wake of COVID-19 Crisis. Asian Journal of Distance Education. 2020;15(2):147-58.
Shete AN, Garkal KD, Somwanshi N. Perceptions of MBBS Students Regarding E-Learning During COVID-19 Lockdown. Future.;30:69-2.
Mukhtar K, Javed K, Arooj M, Sethi A. Advantages, Limitations and Recommendations for Online Learning During COVID-19 Pandemic Era. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences. 2020 May;36(COVID19-S4):S27.