Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.15644/asc56/4/6
Dental Students’ Attitudes and Perspectives regarding Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Cross-sectional, Multi-university Study
Domagoj Vražić
; Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Larisa Musić
orcid.org/0000-0002-2946-2124
; Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Marina Barbarić
; Private Dental Practice, Mendrisio, Switzerland
Ana Badovinac
; Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Laura Plančak
; Private Dental Practice, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivan Puhar
; Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the attitude and perspectives of dental students of four Croatian universities towards online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: An anonymous internet-based survey was administered to undergraduate dental medicine students at the Universities of Zagreb, Rijeka, Split and Osijek. The 29-item questionnaire collected data on students’ demographics, online learning organization and management, and perception of online classes. Results: Five hundred and four participants (85.1% female) took part in the survey. The majority of the participants (63.5%) were from the University of Zagreb. 39.6% of students reported agreement regarding online learning satisfaction. Individual university satisfaction ratings on overall online learning were: Osijek 3.69, Zagreb 3.22, Split 3.05 and Rijeka 2.64. Most students considered that lectures (82.9%) and seminars (78.9%) could be successfully delivered in an online learning format. The online learning format cannot successfully deliver laboratory, preclinical, clinical practicals or clinical clerkship, as agreed by more than 80% of the total student sample. 60% of students consider online learning a valuable alternative to face-to-face instruction. Conclusion: Online learning was highly praised for educational formats such as lectures and seminars, and was considered a useful substitute for conventional learning. Conventional practical courses cannot be substituted with online learning. Overall perspective about online learning was mixed among the students of four universities. The findings of the present study can serve to help individual universities address the shortcomings and reinforce the strengths of their OL programs.
Keywords
Distance Education; Dental Students; Dental Education; COVID-19; Pandemics; Online Learning; Questionnaires
Hrčak ID:
287418
URI
Publication date:
19.12.2022.
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