Effectiveness of Virtual Learning on Knowledge of Students Regarding Covid-19 Amid Its Rapid Upsurges

Abstract

The current novel coronavirus and the disease it causes, Covid-19 is one of the most unpredictable global public health crises in recent times. The pandemic situation worldwide has made everyone to take unprecedented roles in intensifying online learning and upgrading educational strategies to make students aware of this disease. The objective of the present study was to assess and compare the effectiveness of virtual learning program on the knowledge of Students regarding Covid-19 amid its rapid upsurges. Quantitative Approach with Quasi-experimental (One group pre-test post-test design) was used. Convenient sampling technique was used to collect the sample size of 370 participants from selected colleges of Ambala, Haryana. The data was collected through the Structured Knowledge Questionnaire using Google forms. The Questionnaire comprised of 35 items covering different domains of COVID-19. Pre-test was conducted to assess the prior knowledge of students regarding COVID-19. Virtual learning (synchronous) was conducted on Day 2, using Google classroom. The post-test was conducted on Day-10 using same tool to assess the effectiveness of Virtual learning. The mean post-test knowledge score 24.02 was higher than mean pre-test knowledge score, i.e., 20.87 with a mean difference of 3.15. The t-value of 1.64 (p. 0.04) shows a statistically significant difference in the knowledge scores of the students before and after implementation of Virtual learning on COVID-19. There was a significant association (7.01, p-value 0.05) found between gender and level of knowledge. The study concluded that the virtual learning was effective in improving the knowledge of students regarding COVID-19.