Perceptions of e-learning among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic in a medical institution, Kerala
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made a smorgasbord of changes in the educational sector worldwide. It has compelled us to resort to internet media as an alternative to complete the required syllabus. Objective: To assess the perceptions of E-learning among medical students in private medical institution in Kerala. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students in a private medical institution for a period of 2 months. Three hundred and two medical undergraduates from all batches who consented to participate were included in the study. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire through Google forms. Results: E-learning was preferred by 19.9% students over conventional classroom learning and 74.2% perceived it as difficult. Nearly half of the students were anxious about their future education and career. Flexibility of learning (75.5%) was a major advantage whereas technological constraints (85.6%), fatigue of eyes (60.3%), lack of motivation(54%) were some of the constraints of E-learning listed by them. Conclusion: Overall, three – fourth of the medical students have had a good E-learning experience. However acceptable alternatives are to be adopted by the medical universities for maintaining the uniformity of teaching and retaining the quality of medical education.
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic, E-learning, Kerala, Medical students, Perceptions
Supporting Institution
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References
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