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Enablers and Barriers to Online Learning among Medical Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Explanatory Mixed-Method Study

Author

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  • Nurhanis Syazni Roslan

    (Department of Medical Education, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia)

  • Ahmad Sukari Halim

    (Reconstructive Sciences Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia
    Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia)

Abstract

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) trajectory remains unknown, online learning (OL) has replaced face-to-face teaching strategies in education institutions. Research and training focus on harnessing educators, but less is understood at the students’ ends. This study examines the OL readiness components, self-regulation, enablers, and barriers to OL at home among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic through an explanatory mixed-method study. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 178 students and an in-depth interview with 10 students from a public medical school in Malaysia. We found that while all students owned at least one learning device, 22.5% of the students did not have a learning space at home. 21.9% students did not have Wi-Fi access, and 11.2% did not receive mobile broadband coverage at home. Despite these barriers, students had a suitable OL self-regulation level. Significantly higher self-regulation was observed among pre-clinical year students, students with higher grades, and students who had designated learning space at home. We found that high-immediacy and low-bandwidth applications such as WhatsApp and Telegram, and YouTube as the most accessible and easiest platforms to navigate in OL. Our qualitative findings yielded a conceptual model of OL enablers at learners, educators, and institution levels. This framework may serve as one of the guides in faculty development planning and policymaking, especially in promoting a more socially inclusive OL.

Suggested Citation

  • Nurhanis Syazni Roslan & Ahmad Sukari Halim, 2021. "Enablers and Barriers to Online Learning among Medical Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Explanatory Mixed-Method Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6086-:d:564163
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kapasia, Nanigopal & Paul, Pintu & Roy, Avijit & Saha, Jay & Zaveri, Ankita & Mallick, Rahul & Barman, Bikash & Das, Prabir & Chouhan, Pradip, 2020. "Impact of lockdown on learning status of undergraduate and postgraduate students during COVID-19 pandemic in West Bengal, India," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Maram Meccawy & Zilal Meccawy & Aisha Alsobhi, 2021. "Teaching and Learning in Survival Mode: Students and Faculty Perceptions of Distance Education during the COVID-19 Lockdown," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-23, July.
    2. Ngoc Quyet Le & Shankar Sankaran, 2023. "The importance of interactions in supporting online study," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 39(1), pages 105-113, January.
    3. Aarthi Raghavan & Mehmet Akif Demircioglu & Serik Orazgaliyev, 2021. "COVID-19 and the New Normal of Organizations and Employees: An Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-19, October.

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