Investigations On The Effectiveness Of Online Teaching In English And Assessment In Clinical Laboratory Sciences During Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

As of November 2019, the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak has impacted every aspect of life, particularly educational programs at various institutions. Online ones across the world replaced on-campus educational activities. Consequently, starting in March 2020, all educational activities in Saudi Arabia were being conducted online. As lockdown due to COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia ended in August 2020, alternative teaching and assessment plan implanted from March to June 2020 was changed to on-campus laboratory sessions and exams while still maintaining online teaching for theory courses during the fall semester of the academic year 2020-21 (CLAB-CTP 6.1). The assessment plan was modified accordingly (CLAB-CTP 6.2). Detailed safety guidelines for students, faculty, and staff were developed under the directions of the ministry of education and ministry of health to avoid COVID-19 exposure (CLAB-CTP 6.3). It included proper schedules to allow only a small number of students at a time on-campus (10-12 students), thermal screening at college entry points, social distancing, mandatory use of masks, frequent sanitization of workplaces before and after use, etc. These measures are considerably helping in avoiding student, faculty, and staff exposure COVID-19 in the program, college, and the university. A survey was used for the effectiveness of online teaching and assessment plans to achieve student learning outcomes and student satisfaction about virtual teaching. Student course evaluation surveys showed that student satisfaction about delivery of the courses during the COVID-19 pandemic was not significantly different from previous academic years (Figures 1b-6b). Surveys specifically targeted about virtual teaching show students' satisfaction about various aspects of online teaching. To improve any deficiency in student psychomotor skills due to COVID-19 lockdown, risk assessment subcommittee organized a meeting to set up an action plan for further improvement in student psychomotor skills (CLAB-CTP3.1). Under COVID-19 lockdown, contingency teaching and assessment plans were effective with student learning outcomes in all learning domains. Students were overall satisfied with online teaching and assessment.