Evaluation of distance learning and online exam experience of Turkish undergraduate dental students during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Although distance education has been received as an effective educational method in dentistry, the assessment of distance learning and online-exam methods in instantaneous conditions such as a pandemic has not been completely researched.

Aims: The purpose of the present study was to assess student satisfaction with the distance learning and online-exam experience of dental students in Turkey during the pandemic.

Subjects and methods: Dental students in selected Turkish universities were invited to participate in the research. As a data collection tool, socio-demographic data and a web-based questionnaire consisting of 23 questions, addressing the problems experienced in education during the Covid-19 pandemic period and questioning the solutions of students regarding these problems were used. Satisfaction and attitudes towards distance education and online exams were examined.

Results: A total of 1375 students participated in the study. The percentages of students at the various grades of dental school were as follows: first grade = 11.2%, second grade = 18.2%, third grade = 28.3%, fourth grade = 27%, and fifth grade = 15.1%. There is a significant relationship between classes and all scale expressions (P < 0.05). While 11.2% of the students who responded had not experienced any problems, the most common problem was that practical training could not be performed (45.8%) and the lessons were inefficient (29.7%).

Conclusions: Dental students demonstrated a low degree of satisfaction and a negative attitude towards distance learning and the quality of presentation of educational material.

Keywords: Covid-19; dental education; distance education; online exam.