Evaluation of effect of e-learning on the curriculum during the COVID-19 era at a private dental college of Wardha District, Maharashtra: A cross-sectional study

Background: The purpose of the study is to illustrate the preferential levels of e-learning and to highlight the effect of e-learning in comparison to the traditional method of learning among students to ultimately improve academic performance. Aims: The aim of this study is to compare and evaluate the expectations and effects of e-learning on the dental education among students and staff members at a private dental college of Wardha district, Maharashtra. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 499 students to assess the perception of undergraduate students, interns, and faculty members of a private dental college of Wardha district, Maharashtra, on the impact of e-learning on the understanding of lectures during the COVID-19 period. For data collection, an online questionnaire using Google Forms was prepared. For further understanding of the data, 21 questions were divided into three sections. The first section collects data regarding demographic details such as age, sex, and professional status. The second section had questions regarding the choice of e-learning tools and feasibility, whereas the third section had questions to understand the impact of e-learning on mental and physical health as well as effect on curriculum. Statistical Analysis Used: For statistical analysis, SPSS version 24 was used. Analysis of statistics by Chi-square test was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: All faculty members, interns, PGs, and UGs agreed that their screen time increased during COVID-19 as online classes were the primary source of learning. During this era, out of all, 67.89% of faculties, 62.96% of interns, 54.95% of UGs, and 60.67% of PGs encountered vision-related problems such as headache, burning sensation, and dryness of eyes. Faculty members experienced back and neck pain. Almost all participants agreed that they felt isolated using e-lectures. Further, when they were asked about their preferred mode for learning, live/offline mode was preferred over e-learning by 100% of faculty members, 93.63% of interns, 86.08% of UGs, and 88.89% of PGs. Furthermore, all participants showed their strong disagreement for using e-learning as their primary source of learning. Conclusions: During COVID-19, e-learning helped us to provide education across the country; however, its use as primary learning media should be judiciously carried out as it may affect the mental and physical health of the patient in long term.