Satisfaction with online learning in the new normal: perspective of students and faculty at medical and health sciences colleges

Wiam Elshami,Mohamed H Taha,Mohamed Abuzaid,Coumaravelou Saravanan,Sausan Al Kawas,Mohamed Elhassan Abdalla

doi:10.1080/10872981.2021.1920090

Wiam Elshami, Mohamed H Taha + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/10872981.2021.1920090

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Online learning has become the new normal in many medical and health science schools worldwide, courtesy of COVID-19. Satisfaction with online learning is a significant aspect of promoting successful educational processes. This study aimed to identify factors affecting student and faculty satisfaction with online learning during the new normal. Online questionnaires were emailed to students (n = 370) and faculty (n = 81) involved in online learning during the pandemic. The questionnaires included closed- and open-ended questions and were organised into two parts: socio-demographic information and satisfaction with online learning. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the responses to the satisfaction scales. Students’ and faculty responses to the open-ended questions were analysed using the thematic analysis method. The response rate was 97.8% for students and 86.4% for faculty. Overall satisfaction among students was 41.3% compared to 74.3% for faculty. The highest areas of satisfaction for students were communication and flexibility, whereas 92.9% of faculty were satisfied with students’ enthusiasm for online learning. Technical problems led to reduced student satisfaction, while faculty were hampered by the higher workload and the required time to prepare the teaching and assessment materials. Study-load and workload, enhancing engagement, and technical issues (SWEET) were the themes that emerged from the thematic analysis as affecting student and faculty satisfaction. Adopting a combination synchronous and asynchronous approach, incorporating different applications to engage students, and timely feedback are imperative to increasing student satisfaction, while institutional support and organisational policy could enhance faculty satisfaction.

Highlights

Due to safety measures as a result of COVID-19, online learning has become a useful and practical tool for curriculum delivery worldwide [1,2]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning has helped universities keep their doors open for students during lockdown to decrease the spread of the disease [1,2]
Faculty satisfaction is defined as the perception of the online teaching process as efficient, effective and beneficial for both students and faculty [5]

Summary

Introduction

Due to safety measures as a result of COVID-19, online learning has become a useful and practical tool for curriculum delivery worldwide [1,2]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning has helped universities keep their doors open for students during lockdown to decrease the spread of the disease [1,2]. Online learning is the only available solu tion during the COVID-19 pandemic, student and faculty satisfaction is crucial for a successful and effective learning process. Student and faculty satis faction can be define as attitude resulting from an evaluation of educational experience, facilities and services [4]. Faculty satisfaction is defined as the perception of the online teaching process as efficient, effective and beneficial for both students and faculty [5]. Student satisfaction is related to the value of the learning experiences [6]

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