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. 2022 Jun;17(3):516-522.
doi: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2022.04.003. Epub 2022 May 2.

Perceptions of distance learning among Al-Qunfudhah medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Safa H Alkalash  1   2 , Jawaher A Alabdali  3 , Aliyah O Aldabli  3 , Zahra A Alnashri  3 , Amna Kh Almqaadi  3 , Areej H Alabdali  3 , Siddiqa M Hamza  4
Affiliations

Perceptions of distance learning among Al-Qunfudhah medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Safa H Alkalash et al. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2022 Jun.

Abstract
in English, Arabic

Objectives: This study aimed to assess perceptions among undergraduate medical students toward distance learning and its effects on their academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic at Al-Qunfudhah College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, KSA.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students at Al-Qunfudhah College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, KSA, during the 2020-2021 academic year. Data were collected through a predesigned, well-structured online survey from (1st March to 31th May 2021).

Results: A sample of 223 undergraduates responded to an online survey, with a response rate of 74.3%; female students represented 54.3%. Blended education was preferred by most students (73.1%). Moreover, 72.2% of students perceived that distance learning saved their time, and approximately two-thirds (61.4%) were stimulated by the availability of lecture recordings. Approximately 59% and 54% reported that distance learning was more comfortable and improved their technology skills, respectively. Poor communication (66%) and network problems (61.4%) were the most common challenges in distance learning. Nonetheless, a substantial increase (P = 0.001) in students' grade point averages was observed with distance learning.

Conclusion: Most medical students preferred blended education combining the advantages of both traditional and distance learning strategies. The availability of educational materials, improvements in students' technological skills and time saving were the most perceived benefits of distance learning among students. However, the main obstacles were internet problems, poor communication and deprivation from real clinical practice. Despite the improvement in students' grade point averages during distance learning compared with traditional learning, blended education was recommended by the majority or participants.

أهداف البحث: تقييم تصور طلاب كلية الطب تجاه التعلم عن بعد وتأثيره على أدائهم الأكاديمي خلال جائحة كوفيد -19 في كلية الطب في القنفذة، بجامعة أم القرى، المملكة العربية السعودية.

طرق البحث: تم إجراء دراسة مقطعية على طلاب الطب في كلية الطب في القنفذة، بجامعة أم القرى، المملكة العربية السعودية خلال العام الدراسي 2020-2021. تم جمع البيانات من خلال استخدام استبانة عبر الإنترنت مصممة مسبقا خلال الفترة (من 1 مارس إلى 31 مايو 2021).

النتائج: استجاب إجمالي 223 طالبا جامعيا للاستطلاع عبر الإنترنت بمعدل استجابة 74.3٪، ومثلت الطالبات 54.3٪. وتم تفضيل التعليم المدمج لدى غالبية الطلاب (73.1٪). علاوة على ذلك، رأى 72.2٪ من الطلاب أن التعلم عن بعد يوفر وقتهم وحوالي الثلثين (61.4٪) من الطلاب تم تحفيزهم من خلال توفر تسجيل المحاضرات خلال التعليم عن بعد. كما أفاد حوالي 59٪ و54٪ أن التعلم عن بعد كان أكثر راحة وحسّن مهاراتهم التكنولوجية على التوالي. كان ضعف الاتصال (66٪)، ومشاكل الشبكة (61.4٪) من التحديات الشائعة للتعلم عن بعد. ولكن على أي حال، كانت هناك زيادة عالية ذات دلالة إحصائية في متوسط درجات الطلاب مع التعلم عن بعد.

الاستنتاجات: التعلم عن بعد له العديد من المزايا مثل توافر المواد التعليمية، وتحسين المهارات التقنية للطلاب وتوفير الوقت. بينما كانت العقبات الرئيسية هي مشاكل الإنترنت، وسوء الاتصال والحرمان من الممارسة الاكلينيكية الحقيقية. على الرغم من الزيادة الكبيرة في المعدل التراكمي للطلاب أثناء التعلم عن بعد مقارنة بالتعلم التقليدي، إلا أن الغالبية فضلت التعلم المدمج ليكون أفضل استراتيجية تعليمية في التعليم الطبي.

Keywords: Blended education; COVID-19; Distance learning; GPAs, Grade Point Averages; Impact; KSA, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Medical students.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Online learing experiences before the Coronavirus pandamic.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Students preference regarding type of teaching.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Impact of sudden shift to online learning during COVID19 Pandamic.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Students’ grade point averages (GPAs) before and after application of distance learning.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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