The sessions were attended by 436 students on google classroom and video sessions by 80-100 students in groups. Assignments were part of teaching by using google forms. The response rate was 71.4%% (95 CI 67.5-75.8). 81% (95 CI 67.5-75.8) participants are happy about online teaching learning (53% plus 27.9% as 27.9% said may be which was also not negative so included as positive response).52.9% (95 CI;47.3-58.6) are using google classroom,32.2% (95 CI;27-37.6) are using video based platforms like zoom, google meet, cisco web etc . 53.6% (95 CI ; 48-59.2) participants felt google classroom and 44.1% (95 CI;38.5-49.7) opined that video based platform as the best platform for teaching learning. The students responded to online classes as more comfortable way of study in Carona pandemic. We do not need to travel and it also makes sure that no harm to studies during corona crisis. It follows principle of physical distancing. Students felt that they can redo the things by correcting their mistakes, better utilization of time and time management. This type of teaching makes the day more productive and keeps the one occupied. Students felt that E learning is allowing them learn at their own pace and schedule.
The advantages of E learning described by 77.1% participants (95 CI ;72.2-81.6) included flexibility 28%, convenient 33%,helps in revision 9% , helpful in pandemic 18% with social distancing. About 10 % participants said no advantages of E learning. Both students and faculty felt it saves travel time and useful in pandemic.
The difficulties associated with E learning cited by 82.5% participants (95 CI;77.9-86.4) listed network issues and technical issues with data limitations 31%, less interaction 15%, eye strain 5% and 16.5 % did not have any problem.
Our faculty also felt E learning was very difficult initially and were not ready but day by day, they were learning something new so experience became better than the previous one. They felt students do not respond at times and difficult to understand their concerns and difficult to monitor. Faculty felt it is not good for regular syllabus because psychomotor skills are difficult to teach. It is good for theory classes but not practical for patient in respect to clinical aspect. The difficulties faced were limitation on the number of participants who can participate the sessions, limited time for the sessions, and technical errors like network problems. Our experience shows the senior faculty were more motivated and encouraging than the junior faculty. They got trained first and made junior faulty to follow which made the teaching learning process of E learning easy. It may be due to the need of the hour.
some of the reactions of the students.
“The recorded lecture can be viewed by me/others any number of times. I can watch the lectures in my own comfort at my own pace. There is no disturbance from the other students. This is the only cost effective and eco-friendly way of learning. Attending lectures comfortably , Convenient,also helps to concentrate. Time efficient and ppt are available after most lectures. It is just helping to be in touch with the subject! Flexibility”
“You can redo the things by correcting your mistakes On platforms like Google classroom, you can rewind , fast forward, etc which helps me understand the topic better”
“ I accept it comes with it's own disadvantages but I feel this is a great way of learning from the comfort and safety of our homes. On platforms like zoom and WebEx, if you have a bad connection, you won't understand the topic. Therefore I think that recorded lectures are better.”
Online google classes gives less disturbance and is a comfortable learning method during pandemic makes. Staying in touch with the subject Learning from any place around the world possible is the biggest advantage. The resources are available anywhere and anytime help to revise all points in short time.
Safe, Its very interesting, Interactive, one to one learning, convenient program and learning process
It gives a better experience and better understanding even at home. The students have feeling of
personalization of study material. Online classes are better utilization of time and time management and also reduces travel time and has reduced the pressure that we used to have while attending college. It wastes less time of the students. This is the only cost effective and eco-friendly way of learning.
Disadvantages:
Few students felt E- learning so far has not been very fruitful. What they had in their traditional classroom learning helped them to have one on one interaction with the lecturer and gave the environment to learn and have their doubts cleared. It is understandable that with the given circumstances e learning is the best option. There were suggestions by 64.9% (95 CI;59.4-70.1) participants for video-based platform recorded lectures, more assignment and discussion interaction, buy platform which can accommodate more participants and better network and monitoring students. These problems were addressed later on by buying advanced version of the software that allows unlimited time and the suggestions given by the students were to upload a recorded video lecture so that they get better explanation of the topic. They wanted it more interactive and exam oriented and put previous years question papers which will help us prepare better. They wanted videos of actual patients and how doctors are coming up with a treatment plan and mange the patients in reality which will help us to learn better. It's a need of today but should not replace time tested real teaching at least in medical field. Suggestions by the students included that parts of e-learning should be adapted into normal teaching. Though there is no comparison with traditional teaching but online classes are useful in periods of lockdown for the sake of physical distancing.