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. 2021 Aug 28;21(1):452.
doi: 10.1186/s12909-021-02888-1.

Online versus classroom teaching for medical students during COVID-19: measuring effectiveness and satisfaction

Abdullh AlQhtani  1 , Nasser AlSwedan  2 , Abdullelah Almulhim  3 , Raghad Aladwan  4 , Yara Alessa  5 , Kholoud AlQhtani  2 , Malak Albogami  6 , Khalid Altwairqi  7 , Fahad Alotaibi  5 , Abdulmajeed AlHadlaq  5 , Osama Aldhafian  2
Affiliations
Free PMC article

Online versus classroom teaching for medical students during COVID-19: measuring effectiveness and satisfaction

Abdullh AlQhtani et al. BMC Med Educ. .
Free PMC article

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing have had a significant impact on the conversion of traditional teaching methods to online teaching methods, which although not uncommon in medical schools, has to date only been used for some aspects of the teaching process. Thus, we aimed to measure the effectiveness of e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as medical students' preferences regarding e-learning and classroom teaching, and the possibility of applying it post-pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of medical students (N = 376) in six medical schools was carried out after their second semester, from August 15 to 20, 2020. Ten parameters were measured for the effectiveness of e-learning based on a 5-point Likert-scale and five parameters were measured for satisfaction.

Results: e-learning was more or equally effective in four parameters such as assignment submission and meeting individual needs, but less effective in six parameters, including building skills and knowledge, and interaction level. Satisfaction was either high or neutral in all five parameters.

Conclusions: Our findings have shown that e-learning can assist the teaching process in medical schools in some respects, but cannot be used for the entire teaching process.

Keywords: COVID-19; E-Learning; Effectiveness; Medical students; Satisfaction.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests” in this section.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Effectiveness of online learning compared to regular classroom settings
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Satisfaction with online classes
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Fig. 3
Correlation between convenience and satisfaction
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Fig. 4
Association between medical school and satisfaction with online learning
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Association between school year and satisfaction with online learning
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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