Student satisfaction with videoconferencing teaching quality during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Main Author: Tarah H. Fatani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2020-10-01
• Series: BMC Medical Education
• Subjects: Student satisfaction; Student evaluation of education quality; Community of inquiry; Videoconferencing; COVID-19
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-020-02310-2

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic prompted the pediatric department at King Abdulaziz University to continue students’ educational activities by offering courses online that utilized web video conferencing (WVC). Given the uncertainties of WVC educational quality and the challenge of shifting to an online environment, this study aimed to evaluate student satisfaction with the teaching quality of case-based discussion (CBD) sessions conducted through WVC. Methods One hundred sixty-two undergraduate medical students in pediatrics completed the reduced Students’ Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ) survey with a five-point Likert scale over 5 weeks. The WVC CBD sessions were facilitated by 50 faculty members. Results 82% of respondents were highly satisfied with the WVC CBD session’s teaching quality. The majority agreed that the sessions were intellectually challenging, that the instructors were dynamic, and encouraged students to participate. No statistically significant correlation was found between student satisfaction and technical issues (r = 0.037, p = 0.003). Conclusions WVC teaching had an overall positive outcome on student satisfaction, and teaching quality relied on teaching, cognitive, and social presence rather than technology. However, technology remains an important platform that supports teachers’ educational activities. Thus, implementing a blended pediatric course to augment future course delivery is optimal.