Students’ perception of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted teaching in a variety of institutions, especially in medical schools. Electronic learning (e-learning) became the core method of teaching the curriculum during the pandemic. After 8 weeks of only online learning, a survey was conducted to investigate perception of this type of learning among medical students. A survey was conducted by distributing an online questionnaire to Polish medical students. Data gathered from the survey were analyzed with routine statistical software. Eight hundred four students answered the questionnaire. According to respondents’ answers, the main advantages of online learning were the ability to stay at home (69%), continuous access to online materials (69%), learning at your own pace (64%), and comfortable surroundings (54%). The majority of respondents chose lack of interactions with patients (70%) and technical problems with IT equipment (54%) as the main disadvantages. There was no statistical difference between face-to-face and online learning in terms of opinions on the ability of the learning method to increase knowledge (P = .46). E-learning was considered less effective than face-to-face learning in terms of increasing skills (P < .001) and social competences (P < .001). Students assessed that they were less active during online classes compared to traditional classes (P < .001). E-learning was rated as enjoyable by 73% of respondents. E-learning is a powerful tool for teaching medical students. However, successful implementation of online learning into the curriculum requires a well thought-out strategy and a more active approach.

E-Learning vs. Face-To-Face Learning: Analyzing Students’ Preferences and Behaviors

“…Regarding the positive aspects of e-learning, the research has shown that students are particularly pragmatic, considering time-saving as the main advantage, closely followed by the comfort offered by staying home, as well as the accessibility provided by the online environment. The same positive results, such as the possibility to stay at home, the friendly environment at home, and the possibility to have access to online materials were observed in a study conducted with Polish medical students [46]. These advantages could help create courses that fit the needs of certain categories of students (those who work, who are unable to attend courses, who cannot afford to study in another city, etc.).…”

Nurses’ Perceived Quality of Educational Life during the Covid-19 Induced Rapid Transition to Online Learning in Post-Graduate Courses: A Qualitative Study

“…During our research, study participants showed also an optimistic and general appreciation of the advantages that the online learning transition brought to the quality of their educational life in terms of time, access, less traveling, reduced cost of accommodation and transportation in other settings; moreover, it appeared that online learning materials were also delivered faster (Bączek et al, 2021). A new aspect, enabling the educational life, explored by students was the discovery of the advantages of new media of communication gained from the online setting, like the faster response and contact with teachers and tutors, fewer time boundaries and generally the sense of continuous and available connection with fellow students (Zhou et al, 2020).…”

“…They expressed initial concerns about missing the chance to observe and to be physically in the class, to interact, ask questions, or follow other students' reasoning, which for some of them is also an element of facilitation of learning and quality of educational life (Fawns et al, 2019). The missing interaction interpreted as missing the embodiment of the educational experience was a topic highlighted in the interviews by students attending courses with less theoretical programs, like intensive care specializing courses (Bączek et al, 2021).…”

“…Although a relevant number of studies on students' general perceptions of their experience of the forced transition to online learning (Langegård et al, 2021;Ibrahim et al, 2021;Goni-Fuste et al, 2021;Bączek et al, 2021), research directed to explore specifically the quality of the educational life and focused on nurses who attend post-graduate professional courses is still lacking.…”

Medical Student’s Perspective Regarding Undergraduate Surgical Education with Special Reference to Pandemic

“…Perhaps, the implementation of virtual consultations with simulated patients may be an alternative measure to tackle this problem. Virtual patients and simulation of real-life clinical scenarios may enable the learner to prepare him/herself before a real patient encounter [ 5 , 14 ]. The creation of online components promotes well-structured courses and can help students in distributing their studies throughout the term, thus suggesting enhanced learning [ 15 ].…”