A Descriptive Study to Assess the Perceptions of Undergraduate Medical Students Towards Acceptance of E-Learning Vs Conventional Methods in An Integrated Curriculum in Physiology

Abstract

Background: Institutions across the world have shifted to virtual education to keep the academic activitiesgoing due to the COVID-19 pandemic jeopardizing the academiccalendars. E-learning was being used asa part of distance learning courses but the preparedness, designing and effectiveness in using it towardsconducting regular courses have been the main concern in countries where students are not used to virtualclasses due to technical constraints like faculty training, suitability of devices and bandwidth availabilityposing a serious challenge. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based study was done among 50 second yearmedical undergraduate students in 2020. A standardized, electronic, self-administered, Google Form datacollection sheet was distributed. It included the seven components to evaluate; Course Schedule, objectives,time management, teaching methods, assessment methods, academic achievement and student concerns.Descriptive, inferential statistics were applied. Results: e-learning has been accepted very well by thestudents (48%) and they found it to add as a better learning resource (44%). About 25% of students find bothe-leaning and conventional methods as convenient in learning.The major advantage in conventional methodswere due to peer interaction, student-faculty interaction and active participation of faculty with feedback.Conclusion: Most of the students appraised that e-learning can be used as complementary to conventionalmethods. The conventional methods had an upper hand in long term; teaching concepts, peer interaction andfaculty feedback with better planning and implementation of curricular activities holding the key for successin fulfilling the expected outcomes by either of the methods.