PERCEPTION & ACCEPTANCE OF E-LEARNING AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC IN TELANGANA STATE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/Keywords:
Clinical year, Dental students, e-learning, Perception.Abstract
Background: The pandemic has certainly changed the method of teaching. It has brought far-reaching changes
in all aspects of our lives. The present study aims to evaluate the perception & acceptance of e-learning among
dental students in Telangana state.
Methods: The present cross-sectional study is based on a questionnaire that was designed and delivered to dental
students in their clinical year third year( final year dental undergraduate students and internship students). The
estimated sample size (n = 681) is derived from the Raosoft sample size calculator for this study. The students
responded to each statement by using 4 points Likert scale.
Results: When asked to rate their online learning experience (in comparison to traditional classes) out of 5,
41.6% rated it a 3/5. Even though 44.2% of students said they found online learning user-friendly, most students
(50.4%) opted for traditional learning.
Conclusion: Although online teaching was a hopeful & fast expanding endeavour in the pandemic situation, it is
a relatively new concept of the hour that may take time for both the students and the teaching staff to adapt
themselves. Addressing challenges in near future e-learning should be considered a part of the curriculum to
improve the technological knowledge for both students and teachers.
