TAKE HOME MESSAGE FOR M.B.B.S STUDENTS FROM NEWLY INTRODUCED ONLINE CLASSES DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The internet becomes “information superhighway”. From its inception, it had grown such that it could be accessed from any part of the world. Conventional classroom teaching had been replaced to some extent by online learning. Almost two years of online classes due to lockdown in Corona virus pandemic, helped the students to understand the future learning methodology. OBJECTIVE:To determine the “take home” message for the M.B.B.S students from online classes. METHODOLOGY: Both live and recorded online classes had been introduced during lockdown period. When medical college opened and students were back to classes a survey was undertaken based on the semi structured questionnaire based on google form. Responses were analyzed with Microsoft excel 365 software. RESULT: 143 out of total 200 students responded (72%). 64% students liked recorded classes, according to them, recorded classes could be accessed at a convenient time (44%), repeat watching helped to clear the concepts (34%), easily accessible (53%), video could be shared among the peer groups (61%). Rest of the students preferred live streaming classes. In their opinion, live classes felt like actual class (75%), could directly interact with friends (66%), asking question directly to the teachers (34%), They tried to include in future the following aspects of online learning to ofline classroom teaching, those were start peer group learning, sharing the useful contents, improvements of technological knowledge and skills, to maintain discipline in the class- there were take home message for the students after long one year of online classes CONCLUSION: It was clear if proper strategy had been taken and if widespread internet connections would be provided the online classes could be effective as classroom teaching.