Virtual Education status from the Perspective of Students at Alborz University of Medical Sciences in the Covid-19 Pandemic Period

Abstract

Background & Objective: Regarding the changes in the process of education and conducting e-learning system in the context of the Corona epidemic, there is an essential role of evaluating the education programs in improving its quality and effectiveness. This descriptive study was conducted to investigate the virtual education status from the perspective of students in Alborz University of Medical Sciences. Materials & Methods: The statistical population of the study included 364 students studying at Alborz University of Medical Sciences in the second semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. A researcher-made questionnaire having four domains (lesson introduction, educational content, feedback and interaction, assessment and evaluation) was used as the instrument and 20 items were prepared based on a four-point Likert scale. The questionnaire validity was reviewed and confirmed based on the opinion of a 5-member panel with relevant experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using the test-retest method and Cronbach’s alpha was 0.902. Results: The results showed that the virtual education status in the domains of course introduction, educational content, interaction and feedback, assessment and evaluation is relatively favorable from the students’ point of view. Comparing the level of satisfaction in different schools, the School of Pharmacy, and among the different levels, master students showed the highest level of satisfaction with the virtual education program among the schools based on the domains under study. There was no significant difference in the level of satisfaction between students from different schools and levels. Conclusion: Generally, the level of satisfaction in terms of various domains was relatively favorable for students participating in the virtual education classes at Alborz University of Medical Sciences.