Virtual Education Infrastructures in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the importance of e-learning in universities, this study was conducted to assess the readiness of faculties, to evaluate each of the e-learning infrastructures, and to assess the needs of virtual education development in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (MAZUMS) in 2020-21. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 124 professors from 9 faculties of MAZUMS. The data collection tool in this study included 3 questionnaires which were filled by the participants. Data collection was done by the help of employees in each faculty. Collected data were entered into SPSS20 software for statistical analysis. Results: The readiness assessment score in the field of e-learning development was almost appropriate based on the participants’ views. Among the studied areas, the highest and lowest scores were related to the areas of faculty members’ readiness and financial readiness, respectively. The highest and lowest number of faculty members, equipment and physical resources were in the Sari Medical School and Behshahr Nursing and Midwifery School, respectively. Conclusion: The deputies and officials of the education development offices of each faculty had a good attitude towards the development of virtual education. In order to develop virtual education in each faculty, short-term and long-term planning based on the faculty's capacities, allocating the required resources, and empowering more students in the field of virtual education seems necessary.