Perceptions of Egerton University Faculty of Health Sciences students towards online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted all sectors of the economy including the education and health sectors. Restrictions on gatherings and social distancing resulted in the suspension of physical learning. Medical schools resorted to online lectures to deliver medical education. This was a novel way of delivering teaching, especially in the local medical schools in Kenya. There was a research gap on the impact of online learning. This study was done to assess the perceptions of students in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Egerton University, regarding online learning.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among students in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Egerton University. An online survey was conducted from July 2021 to September 2021. Data gathered was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®), version 25 (IBM. Corp).

Results: A total of 175 students filled out the questionnaire; the majority were male 58% (n=102). The average age of respondents was 21 years (SD= 2.323). Most of the respondents (71%) lacked prior experience with online learning. Time and location flexibility were the main advantages of online lectures. The main barriers cited were poor internet connection, expensive internet bundles, and technical malfunctions. The majority of respondents (72%) found online lectures less effective than physical lectures. Students expressed difficulty maintaining concentration (58%) and the majority opined online learning should not continue after the pandemic (66%).

Conclusion: According to the students, online learning is less effective than physical lectures. A combination of online and physical learning should be used post-pandemic.