Students Feedback to Improve Online Teaching/ Learning in Government Medical College, Katua During the Covid-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The Coronavirus led lockdown has put all of our strength and zeal to a hard test by interrupting our regular lives in recent history. It is indeed testing times for all of us. In an effort to overcome the effects of the pandemic, teaching institutions all around the globe are switching to online teaching-learning mode. However, the transition to online learning could be a challenge for everyone. Aim: This Study's aim is to evaluate whether online learning when compared to offline learning can improve learning outcomes of undergraduate medical students. Methods: We developed Google classroom in which teachers of all subjects uploaded lectures by power point.A total of 97 students of first year MBBS of GMC KATUA participated in online classes. The study was conducted through a prestructured and prevalidated on line questionnaire sent to the 97 students. The consent from the Ethical committee of GMC KATUA was duly sought. The study was carried out after 6 months of online classes. A set of self-designed questionnaire was developed based on 5-point Likert scale and given to the students through the e-classes. Convenience sampling technique was used to select the participants. Out of a total of 97 undergraduate students of Phase 1 GMCkathua, 83 responses to the questionnaire were received. All students voluntarily participated in the study. Results: 91.6 % students were taking on line classes for the first time. 82.2% were using mobile as the choice gadget, majority of the students 42.2% preferred video as mode of delivery of on-lineclasses compared to PPT 31.3%. In our study, ZOOM platform was utilized by 54.2% and Google platforms by 39.8% with overlap in use of applications. On the whole, the participants preferred video, PPT, PDF content for clearing of doubts on content covered during the lectures 48.2% participants are not happy with Corona Pandemic in India and 47 % are anxious for this. Only 31.3% of participants were satisfied with the class material provided during online classes, 48.2% were neutral and 14.5% were dissatisfied with the material. The method of recorded classes for better understanding 42.2 % participants found it somewhere less effective, 13.3% found it somewhat more effective. Only 12% participants think that online teaching/learning is better than conventional teaching/ learning method. Among the participants 65.1% would not like to continue with online classes as a part of regular classes in future. Conclusion: According to our study concept of online classes is still evolving and students prefer conventional teaching over online teaching. To overcome the identified barrier during this study, mix method study i.e. online & offline should be started as the pandemic situation normalizes. © 2021, Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. All rights reserved.