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Students' preparedness and perception toward online learning in dental education - A cross-sectional study
Shrivardhan Kalghatgi1, Mahesh Ravindra Khairnar2, Tanushri Mahendra Dalvi1
1Department of Public Health Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Background:
Amid the health risk posed by coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, all the educational institutions in India have adopted online teaching as a method of imparting education. Thus, the current study was executed to evaluate the perception and preparedness of dental students toward online learning in dental education.
Materials And Methods:
The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 286 dental undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students employing a pretested questionnaire. The questionnaire focused on technological access, computer and online skills, and motivational skills to use e-learning for educational purpose. The response scale for each domain was classified into low readiness level (mean value = 1-<3), acceptable/moderate readiness level (mean value = 3-<4), and high readiness level (mean value = 4-5).
Results:
The results showed a high level of computer (4.02 ± 0.73) and online skills (4.05 ± 0.70) and acceptable levels of technology access (3.62 ± 0.73) and motivational level (3.61 ± 0.82). There was a significant difference in computer (P = 0.017) and online skills (P = 0.044) among UG and PG students, with PG students reporting better soft skills. Majority of the students reported participating in online workshops (68.2%) and examinations (76.6%). Around 55.2% of the students reported a positive impact and 8% reported a very positive impact of online methods on their learning.
Conclusion:
Students showed a high level of readiness toward e-learning methods along with some difficulties faced during e-learning.
