ONLINE EDUCATION AND INTERNET CONNECTIVITY PROBLEMS: A PERSPECTIVE OF THE TEACHERS AND UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS
Main Article Content
Keywords
Online education, internet connectivity, dental students, faculty perceptions, blended learning
Abstract
Introduction: Online education has been integrated as an essential tool in dental learning, but internet connection challenges affect both students and faculty. These disruptions have implications on educational quality, student interaction, and test validity.
Objectives: The purpose of this research is to explore the effects of internet connectivity issues on online learning perceived by undergraduate dental students and faculty members in Dentistry Department, Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Materials and Methods: A survey was conducted at Dentistry Department, Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, Pakistan from June, 2024 to December, 2024 using structured self-administered questionnaires. Of the participants, 200 were students, while 50 were faculty. The participants were selected through a convenience sampling technique. For the analysis of the collected data, essential statistical tools were used.
Results: Internet disruption was a challenge that affected most of the students 72% and the faculty 60%. With limited connectivity, the learners were less engaged, missed part of the lecturer’s content, and faced technical challenges in tests. The preference for blended learning was higher among the students (78%) and the faculty (60%).
Conclusion: Internet challenges greatly affect online dental education. The adoption of blended learning and infrastructural improvements are crucial for improving learning experiences.
Objectives: The purpose of this research is to explore the effects of internet connectivity issues on online learning perceived by undergraduate dental students and faculty members in Dentistry Department, Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Materials and Methods: A survey was conducted at Dentistry Department, Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, Pakistan from June, 2024 to December, 2024 using structured self-administered questionnaires. Of the participants, 200 were students, while 50 were faculty. The participants were selected through a convenience sampling technique. For the analysis of the collected data, essential statistical tools were used.
Results: Internet disruption was a challenge that affected most of the students 72% and the faculty 60%. With limited connectivity, the learners were less engaged, missed part of the lecturer’s content, and faced technical challenges in tests. The preference for blended learning was higher among the students (78%) and the faculty (60%).
Conclusion: Internet challenges greatly affect online dental education. The adoption of blended learning and infrastructural improvements are crucial for improving learning experiences.
References
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11. Shrivastava, K.J., Nahar, R., Parlani, S. and Murthy, V.J., 2022. A cross‐sectional virtual survey to evaluate the outcome of online dental education system among undergraduate dental students across India amid COVID‐19 pandemic. European Journal of Dental Education, 26(1), pp.123-130.
12. Islam, M.I., Jahan, S.S., Chowdhury, M.T.H., Isha, S.N., Saha, A.K., Nath, S.K., Jahan, M.S., Kabir, M.H., Hoque Apu, E., Kabir, R. and Siddika, N., 2022. Experience of Bangladeshi dental students towards online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: a web-based cross-sectional study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(13), p.7786.
13. Al‐Taweel, F.B., Abdulkareem, A.A., Gul, S.S. and Alshami, M.L., 2021. Evaluation of technology‐based learning by dental students during the pandemic outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019. European Journal of Dental Education, 25(1), pp.183-190.
14. Jiang, Z., Zhu, D., Li, J., Ren, L., Pu, R. and Yang, G., 2021. Online dental teaching practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional online survey from China. BMC Oral Health, 21, pp.1-9.
15. Ali, K., Alhaija, E.S.A., Raja, M., Zahra, D., Brookes, Z.L., McColl, E., Zafar, S., Kirnbauer, B., Al Wahadni, A.M., Al-Fodeh, R.S. and Bani-Hani, T.G., 2023. Blended learning in undergraduate dental education: a global pilot study. Medical Education Online, 28(1), p.2171700.
2. Etajuri, E.A., Mohd, N.R., Naimie, Z. and Ahmad, N.A., 2022. Undergraduate dental students’ perspective of online learning and their physical and mental health during COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One, 17(6), p.e0270091.
3. Noor, R., Singh, D., Agarwal, A., Mansoori, S. and Ansari, M.I., 2022. Perception of dental students towards the online method of dental education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of oral biology and craniofacial research, 12(2), pp.223-227.
4. Samra, R.K., Nirola, A., Verma, A., Nagpal, A. and Thakur, M., 2021. Dental students' perception on the impact of E-learning in continuing dental education during the current pandemic scenario. Indian Journal of Dental Sciences, 13(2), pp.61-72.
5. Hassan, R., Khalifa, A.R., Elsewify, T. and Hassan, M.G., 2022. Perceptions of clinical dental students toward online education during the COVID-19 crisis: an Egyptian multicenter cross-sectional survey. Frontiers in psychology, 12, p.704179.
6. Hattar, S., AlHadidi, A., Sawair, F.A., Alraheam, I.A., El-Ma’aita, A. and Wahab, F.K., 2021. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dental education: online experience and practice expectations
7. Di Giacomo, P. and Di Paolo, C., 2021. COVID-19 and dental distance-based education: students’ perceptions in an Italian University. BMC medical education, 21, pp.1-9.
8. Gungor, A.S., Uslu, Y.Ş. and Dönmez, N., 2021. Perceptions of dental students towards online education during the COVID-19 pandemic. European oral research, 55(3), pp.124-132.
9. Goh, C.E., Lim, L.Z., Müller, A.M., Wong, M.L. and Gao, X., 2022. When e‐learning takes centre stage amid COVID‐19: Dental educators' perspectives and their future impacts. European Journal of Dental Education, 26(3), pp.506-515.
10. Veeraiyan, D.N., Varghese, S.S., Rajasekar, A., Karobari, M.I., Thangavelu, L., Marya, A., Messina, P. and Scardina, G.A., 2022. Comparison of interactive teaching in online and offline platforms among dental undergraduates. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(6), p.3170.
11. Shrivastava, K.J., Nahar, R., Parlani, S. and Murthy, V.J., 2022. A cross‐sectional virtual survey to evaluate the outcome of online dental education system among undergraduate dental students across India amid COVID‐19 pandemic. European Journal of Dental Education, 26(1), pp.123-130.
12. Islam, M.I., Jahan, S.S., Chowdhury, M.T.H., Isha, S.N., Saha, A.K., Nath, S.K., Jahan, M.S., Kabir, M.H., Hoque Apu, E., Kabir, R. and Siddika, N., 2022. Experience of Bangladeshi dental students towards online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: a web-based cross-sectional study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(13), p.7786.
13. Al‐Taweel, F.B., Abdulkareem, A.A., Gul, S.S. and Alshami, M.L., 2021. Evaluation of technology‐based learning by dental students during the pandemic outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019. European Journal of Dental Education, 25(1), pp.183-190.
14. Jiang, Z., Zhu, D., Li, J., Ren, L., Pu, R. and Yang, G., 2021. Online dental teaching practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional online survey from China. BMC Oral Health, 21, pp.1-9.
15. Ali, K., Alhaija, E.S.A., Raja, M., Zahra, D., Brookes, Z.L., McColl, E., Zafar, S., Kirnbauer, B., Al Wahadni, A.M., Al-Fodeh, R.S. and Bani-Hani, T.G., 2023. Blended learning in undergraduate dental education: a global pilot study. Medical Education Online, 28(1), p.2171700.
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Published
Apr 12, 2025
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How to Cite
Dr Rabia Anwar, Dr Ayesha Bibi, Dr Sadaf Yousaf, & Dr Fareeda Naz. (2025). ONLINE EDUCATION AND INTERNET CONNECTIVITY PROBLEMS: A PERSPECTIVE OF THE TEACHERS AND UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 32(3), 315-321. https://doi.org/10.53555/mvnnhq31
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Author Biographies
Dr Rabia Anwar
Assistant Professor, Dentistry Department, Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, Pakistan
Dr Ayesha Bibi
Assistant Professor, Dentistry Department, Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, Pakistan
Dr Sadaf Yousaf
Lecturer, Dentistry Department, Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, Pakistan
Dr Fareeda Naz
2Lecturer, Dentistry Department, Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, Pakistan
How to Cite
Dr Rabia Anwar, Dr Ayesha Bibi, Dr Sadaf Yousaf, & Dr Fareeda Naz. (2025). ONLINE EDUCATION AND INTERNET CONNECTIVITY PROBLEMS: A PERSPECTIVE OF THE TEACHERS AND UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 32(3), 315-321. https://doi.org/10.53555/mvnnhq31