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Investigating the strengths and weaknesses of online education during <scp>COVID</scp> ‐19 pandemic from the perspective of professors and students of medical universities and proposing solutions: A qualitative study

Authors :
Hosein Ameri
Mina Mahami‐Oskouei
Simin Sharafi
Saeede Saadatjoo
Maryam Miri
Morteza Arab‐Zozani
Source :
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. 51:94-102
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
Wiley, 2022.

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the strengths and weaknesses of e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of its primary stakeholders, namely professors and students, and to provide practical solutions. Design is a qualitative study. We enrolled 22 faculty members and 58 students purposively. Research data were collected through a data collection checklist and via email and continued until the data were saturated. The qualitative content analyses were the basis of analysis in this study. Strengths were presented in 6 themes and 26 subthemes, weaknesses in 5 themes and 23 subthemes, and solutions were presented in 5 themes and 20 subthemes. Save money, time and energy; use modern software and educational technologies; and the ability to individualize education were among the strengths of e-learning. The most important weaknesses related to e-learning include infrastructure difficulties, problems related to the ability of professors and students to use educational systems. The most beneficial solutions offered included improving and upgrading the e-learning infrastructure, empowering professors and students to use educational systems. We concluded that using online teaching has many strengths as well as some weaknesses. Identifying these strengths and weaknesses can help policymakers plan better.

Subjects

Subjects :
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Details

ISSN :
15393429 and 14708175
Volume :
51
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....e7617c6f2e765391b07256f73d6100d2
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21691