Experience of Distance Education of Students of Orgmu Ophthalmology Department in Covid-19 Pandemic Conditions

Abstract

The special epidemiological situation that arose in 2020 in connection with the spread of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 affected all spheres of human life, including the education system. The experience gained during the pandemic in the implementation of educational programs using distance technologies is unique in each university. The purpose of our study was to identify the attitude of students of ORGMU Department of Ophthalmology to distance learning. A survey of 439 students of 3-5 courses of medical, pediatric, dental and preventive medicine faculties of the Orenburg State Medical University was carried out. Among them: 122 boys (27.8%) and 317 girls (72.2%), the average age of the respondents was 20.4 years. The questionnaire consisted of 28 questions and included questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, distance learning in self-isolation, the willingness of teachers to use modern information technologies, the level of personal computer skills and Internet skills. The students agreed on the advantages of distance learning: a low probability of contracting a coronavirus infection – 98%, the possibility of re-familiarization with the training material – 75%, restoration of the diet – 90%, individual learning rate – 73%, the use of modern teaching technologies – 41%. In addition, distance learning contributed to the development of self-discipline of students in preparation for classes and significantly increased the level of psychological comfort of students. With this type of training, a subjective assessment on the part of the teacher is excluded, since he does not take part in testing on the exam, but only processes the obtained results and puts marks in an electronic statement. Most students see this as the main advantage.