Perception of online learning among undergraduate medical students at Tanta University, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

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Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: E-learning is an expanding educational methodology that provides students with the flexibility to learn at their own pace, selecting the most suitable time and location for their studies. This is especially significant in higher education, as students often must travel considerable distances to attend university. The objective was to study medical undergraduates' opinions toward distance education at our university to assess their class experience, student and lecturer engagement, online learning benefits and drawbacks, and student choice. Methods: Cross-sectional research involving 1180 students (580 in group I and 600 in group II) from faculty of medicine, Tanta University. The research was done over a two-month period (April and May 2023). A self-administered structured questionnaire comprised sex, residence, academic year, and a question concerning students' experience with online education. Results: Nearly half of students in both groups participated effectively in 50-80% of online classes from home. Most students reported that the quality of interaction between students and lecturers was poor. Around fifty percent of the students in both groups identified cost and energy savings associated with traveling to and from the institution as benefits, whereas insufficient interaction with the lecturer was perceived as a drawback. Students in both groups choose traditional classroom learning over online learning. Conclusions: Our students noted that face-to-face learning is superior than online learning in developing knowledge, social competence, and clinical abilities. To ensure the effective execution of online learning, it is essential to formulate a carefully structured strategy and utilize innovative approaches to address anticipated barriers.

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