Research Articles
Online anatomy education during COVID 19 pandemic period among pre-clinical medical students: an experience of University of Peradeniya
Authors:
E. W. Kosgallana ,
University of Peradeniya, LK
About E. W.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine
P. N. Jayasankita,
University of Peradeniya, LK
About P. N.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine
A. K. Jayaweera,
University of Peradeniya, LK
About A. K.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine
H. M. G. Supunsara,
University of Peradeniya, LK
About H. M. G.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine
S. B. Adikari,
University of Peradeniya, LK
About S. B.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine
H. A. Amaratunga
University of Peradeniya, LK
About H. A.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine
Abstract
Objective
The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception, attitudes, and barriers faced by students during the online anatomy course.
Materials and methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried using a questionnaire, based on available feedback questionnaires from the faculty and published questionnaires, pilot tested and finalized. It was distributed via Google-forms to 185 second-year students who had undergone 2 semesters of online teaching.
Results
A total of 115 Google-forms were received. Females represented 50.9%, with a mean age of 21.9±1.022 years. Smartphones (86%) were mainly used to access online material while mobile data (79.8%) was the commonest method of internet access. Online learning tool usage was: Moodle-98.2% Zoom-94.7% and Youtube-66.7%. Attitudes towards online learning were positive (77.2%) with prior preparation for teaching sessions as high as 97.4% and active participation in the online sessions (81.6%). Majority preferred Moodle for online lectures (81.74%), histology practical sessions (89.57%) and slide projections (82.74%) while for gross practical sessions it was Moodle (80.87%) and Youtube (41.74%). For tutorials (70.44%) and discussions (76.52%) majority preferred Zoom sessions. Of the respondents 57.9% feared lack of direct anatomy learning might have an impact on their clinical skills in future. The major problems of online learning were identified as lack of self-motivation, lack of onsite practicals, and increased screen time.
Conclusion
Though majority of participants agreed that onsite anatomy teaching and learning cannot be replaced by the online course, the attitude towards it appears to be mostly positive during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How to Cite:
Kosgallana EW, Jayasankita PN, Jayaweera AK, Supunsara HMG, Adikari SB, Amaratunga HA. Online anatomy education during COVID 19 pandemic period among pre-clinical medical students: an experience of University of Peradeniya. Sri Lanka Anatomy Journal. 2021;5(1):35–44. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/slaj.v5i1.132
Published on
03 Oct 2021.
Peer Reviewed
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