(PO-163) Online Learning: Students’ Perspective and its Impact on Academic Performance

Author: Solachuddin J. Ichwan, D.D.S. – Lecturer
Author: Siti Zakirah Yaakop, Dental student
Author: Nurina Sabaznur, Dental student
Author: WIDYA LESTARI, Ph.D. – ASSOC. PROF, INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA
Author: AZLINI ISMAIL, Ph.D. – ASST. PROF, INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA
Author: Sukotjo Cortino, D.M.D., Ph.D.
Submitter: Solachuddin J. Ichwan, D.D.S. – Lecturer

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) dental students’ perspectives on the implementation of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on academic performance.

Methods: IIUM dental students were requested to fill out an online questionnaire containing evaluative statements regarding handling, didactic benefit, motivation and challenges of online learning and additional questions regarding sociodemographic background and how online learning was conducted. To assess the impact of online learning on academic performances, the results from the professional exam 2018/2019 (as data before online learning implementation) and professional exam 2019/2020 (as data after online learning implementation) were collected and compared. Data were subjected to an independent T-test (p < 0.05).

Results: 249 dental students were involved in answering the online questionnaire. After one year of experience in online learning, 64.3% of students prefer hybrid learning methods for future curriculum. For the academic performances, when comparing the examination results before and after online learning implementation, the after results show some improvements to at least one subject for each year.

Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, students’ showed a positive response towards the implementation of online learning and their academic performances also showed some improvement.