Dental Undergraduate Students Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of Online Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Due to COVID-19 pandemic globally, regular schooling and teaching were disrupted and e-learning has become the major mode of teaching and learning from the age of childhood to professional colleges. After the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, the present survey was undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of dental undergraduates of Mysore city, India. Methodology: This present cross-sectional study was conducted among third and fourth BDS students of JSS Dental College and Hospital, Mysore during the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The study was conducted in the month of September and October 2020. There were about 184 students present in both 3rd and 4th year BDS. The questionnaire was sent to all the students through SurveyMonkey. Out of 184 students, 134 students responded for the questionnaire and the response rate would be around 72.82%. Validity and reliability were assessed before finalizing the questionnaire. Results: Almost 90% of the students had a computer and Internet facilities and they have computer and Internet facilities. Two-thirds of the students preferred blended learning, i.e., a combination of e-learning and a traditional classroom environment, and that the assignments could be finished better in a traditional method. Regarding satisfaction, 80% of the students expressed dissatisfaction toward online learning. Conclusion: Although the dental students had computer and Internet facilities, they had negative perceptions and attitudes toward online learning. Almost all students favored the traditional method of learning.