Students’ perception, attitudes, and readiness toward online learning in dental education in Saudi Arabia: a cohort study

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess students’ perception, attitudes, and readiness toward online dental education in Saudi Arabia.Materials and methodsThis is a longitudinal study using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire distributed to a cohort group of undergraduate dental students at King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during their fourth year (T1) and internship year (T2). It assessed technological access, computer skills, online skills, and motivation level in using e-learning for personal and learning purposes; and overall readiness for e-learning adoption in dental education. The response scale for each domain was categorized as follows: low readiness level (mean value=1–<3), acceptable/moderate readiness level (mean value=3–<4), and high readiness level (mean value=4–5). Descriptive and group comparisons were conducted using the chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, and paired and independent samples t-test. The significance level was set at P<0.05.ResultsThe respondents were as follows: T1 group (n=72; 36 males [M], 36 females [F]) and T2 group (n=50; 20 M, 30 F). The results indicated high levels of computer skills, technology access, and perceived importance of online technology with no significant difference between the groups (P>0.05). They also showed acceptable levels of e-learning experience and social influence on e-learning adoption with no significant difference between the groups (P>0.05). A significant difference was reported in using e-learning for personal compared to learning purposes (P<0.05). The T2 group reported significantly lower levels of online English literacy (P<0.01), perceived impact of e-learning on dental education, and readiness for e-learning (P<0.001). Multiple technical and content development supports were reported.ConclusionThis study showed acceptable levels of individual characteristics and system competency levels as well as the perceived importance of using technology in dental education among the participants. However, the perceived impact of and readiness for e-learning were found to be less acceptable as students matured. The need for much support in some skills was also reported.

Preferences, perceptions and barriers to E-learning among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India

“…These are in contrast to the findings of study conducted by Linjawi among dental students in Saudi Arabia which indicated a high readiness level in computer skills among all the students who participated in the study. 10 In the present study 46.8% students listed flexible timings, ease of understanding and absence of monotony as the advantages of e-learning which is similar to findings of the study by Ogunnowo in Nigeria in which 45% of the participants agreed that e-learning assures schedule flexibility. 11 Also in the study done by Popovici and Mironov from Romania found that students were quite certain about the individualized feature of the e-learning but also about its collaborative character and a high-level of autonomy offered by e-learning.…”

Closing the Gap in Global Neurosurgical Education via Online Conference: A Pre-Covid Survey

“…Furthermore, demographic questions were added to better understand the population that completed the questionnaire. Accordingly, to design questionnaire items that had a reasonable level of reliability or validity, we based our items on related scales which have been published in the literature [13][14][15][16].…”

Perception of E-Learning Among Physiotherapy Students During the Covid-19 Pandemic

“…(19) The students in the present study reported very few technological difficulties, which can be considered as a positive factor as the success of any e-learning program depends on technological accessibility and the possession of a good Internet connection. (20) The students in the present study also reported no difficulties with the downloading and installation of the software or application or using of the application which can also be considered as a positive factor since students require technological skills like basic and advanced computer using skills, multimedia management skills, online management skills and time management skills to use any e-learning program. (20) As reported by Ghanizadeh et al, technical problems like poor connection are the most important limitation related to internet use among medical students.…”