Teaching and learning of postgraduate medical physics using Internet-based e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic – A case study from Malaysia

• Published in: Physica medica 2020-12, Vol.80, p.10-16
• Main Authors: Azlan, Che Ahmad, Wong, Jeannie Hsiu Ding, Tan, Li Kuo, A.D. Huri, Muhammad Shahrun Nizam, Ung, Ngie Min, Pallath, Vinod, Tan, Christina Phoay Lay, Yeong, Chai Hong, Ng, Kwan Hoong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computer-Assisted Instruction - methods; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; E-learning; Education, Distance - methods; Educational Technology - methods; Humans; Internet; Learning; Malaysia; Medical physics education; Original Paper; Program Development; Program Evaluation - methods; Students, Medical; Teaching; Universities; Virtual learning
• ISSN: 1120-1797; 1724-191X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2020.10.002

•The Internet-based e-learning gave students the flexibility of education.•Students preferred face-to-face teaching but adapted to Internet-based e-learning.•Clinical experience can never be replaced entirely via e-learning platforms.•Challenges include poor Internet connectivity, low morale and mental stress.•Hybrid learning strategies would become more common even after the COVID-19 crisis. We present the implementation of e-learning in the Master of Medical Physics programme at the University of Malaya during a partial lockdown from March to June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Teaching and Learning (T&L) activities were conducted virtually on e-learning platforms. The students' experience and feedback were evaluated after 15 weeks. We found that while students preferred face-to-face, physical teaching, they were able to adapt to the new norm of e-learning. More than 60% of the students agreed that pre-recorded lectures and viewing videos of practical sessions, plus answering short questions, were beneficial. Certain aspects, such as hands-on practical and clinical experience, could never be replaced. The e-learning and study-from-home environment accorded a lot of flexibility. However, students also found it challenging to focus because of distractions, lack of engagement and mental stress. Technical problems, such as poor Internet connectivity and limited data plans, also compounded the problem. We expect e-learning to prevail in future. Hybrid learning strategies, which includes face-to-face classes and e-learning, will become common, at least in the medical physics programme of the University of Malaya even after the pandemic.