Vol. 7, Issue 12, Part F (2021)

Background: The outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China which began in late 2019, rapidly evolved into a major public health emergency. Educational institutes across the world have closed and proposed the use of internet platforms to make appropriate and timely modifications to their teaching and learning methods to ensure continuity of education, and implement interim policies and protocols to protect the staff, students, faculty, and patients.

Aim: The present study aims to explore the perceptions of dental post graduate students towards online learning during COVID 19 pandemic in India.

Materials and Methods: The online electronic web-based questionnaire survey was conducted amongst a total of 572 post graduate students across the country through online Google forms. The samples selected for the study were given Google form questionnaire through social network platforms like e-mail, Whatsapp, Facebook and Instagram. Responses were collected. Data was recorded and statistically analyzed using Chi square test.

Results: Responses showed that majority of the students had not attended online classes before the COVID 19 pandemic. Participants had the knowledge about the software, technology and computer experience. The study population of about 76.7% had consistent internet connection but they also had technical problems while accessing the online sessions. For 56.1% of participants course contents were clear, well structured, updated and the use of multimedia instructions and audio/visual presentations were found effective in online learning. Positive response was showed by 23.1% learners towards transition to online learning and more participants were comfortable with this transition. More than half of the respondents felt that personal relations were neglected due to online communication and this also complicated group work.

Conclusion: Online learning is helpful in safeguarding student’s and faculty’s health during COVID-19 pandemic. However, whether it is as effective as conventional learning is a controversy. The study showed a positive attitude of students towards e-learning and also identified the experiences of students and the challenges faced by them in online learning during the pandemic. Thus this study offer recommendations of how to design and implement online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need of continuation of these sessions in academic curriculum.