Faculty Experiences of Online Teaching in Medical and Dental Undergraduate Institute During Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study is to highlight the experiences of faculty members of Ziauddin Medical & Dental College towards the introduction of online education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: In September 2020, an online questionnaire was sent to all the teaching faculty members of Ziauddin medical and dental college through Google form to gather their views on introduction of online education during Covid-19 pandemic. The study design is cross-sectional, descriptive. Non-probability, purposive sampling was done. Out of all, 45 faculty members submitted the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, that is, pie-charts showing frequency, percentages and mean were used to describe the collected data. Results: Three teaching strategies were introduced in Ziauddin College as part of online educational program. There were 12 faculty members who were involved in all the three teaching strategies that were online and recorded lectures and e-PBLs. Majority of the faculty (49%) agreed that online teaching provides rich learning resources and is an efficient teaching method but 55% also stated that it cause fragmentation of learning and reduced teamwork amongst students. 38% stated that online education standardizes the course content and helps in establishing evaluation mechanisms but more than 90% of them agreed that it is a tedious process which requires training programs for teachers and a well-developed technological infrastructure for its smooth delivery. Conclusion: The faculty of Higher Education Institutions is struggling in implementing online education program. They require time and support from institutes as they try to acclimatize into the new normal of online education.