Ayurveda students' perception toward online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic

The recent pandemic of COVID-19 is very challenging for each and every sector like health, economic, technology, agriculture, industries, and education. In the field of education, a teaching institute or a university is suffering in regard to syllabus completion, clinical postings, and examinations which eventually ends up in huge academic loss. Thus, to minimize the academic loss and facilitate the students in distance education, online learning was the solution; in spite of various challenges, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (Deemed to be University) have implemented the online learning program for the undergraduate students within a week of lockdown.

The survey was conducted at MGACH&RC, total of 189 students have participated in the survey. Data collected by survey with help of feedback on a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire with close- and open-ended questions and focus group discussion (FGD) with students.

Although the program was implemented to verify the utility, accomplishment, and lacunas of e-learning, the survey was planned to assess the perception of students toward online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The e-learning model has been successfully introduced; there are more requirements from the students regarding the resource material and minimal lacunas regarding the skill of faculty members and technical issues. Students appreciate the online learning module for the pandemic situation and necessitated for the combination of both learning modalities in future. Seamlessly, the running program recommended online assessment and evaluation of the students in future.