Blackboard in Dental Education: Educators’ Perspectives During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction: E-learning systems play a vital role in education during the COVID-19 pandemic. These systems allow educators to plan, deliver, and follow up on the education process during the closure of universities and schools. This study aims to report the experiences of dental faculty members using the Blackboard system. Methods: The study used a descriptive qualitative design. Data were collected from staff members at the Dental Faculty of Umm Al Qura University through semi-structured focus group discussions that were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for thematic content analysis. Results: The analysis revealed three barriers: (1) pedagogical, (2) technical, and (3) individual. For the advantages, three themes emerged: (1) ease of use, (2) ongoing support, and (3) usefulness. Most participants were satisfied with using Blackboard and believed it to be a valuable and complementary educational tool in dentistry. Conclusion: The reported experiences and recommendations are helpful for university leaders, policymakers, and program designers in improving the quality of e-learning in the future.