Online assessments during COVID-19 pandemic - A paradigm shift in educational strategy

Ayesha Younas, Muhammad Naeem Ashraf, Sohail Ashraf, Rabbiah Manzoor Malik, Nadeem Pasha, Hafsa Naeem

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: Covid-19 pandemic has instigated changes in the teaching and assessment practices of institutions in many parts of the world, resulting not only in online teaching but also online assessments. The present study analyzes the perceptions of students regarding the first online assessments conducted at a medical college in Pakistan.

Methodology: This Mixed method cross-sectional study was conducted in Wah Medical College, National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi, Pakistan from July to November 2020. The questionnaire was developed after collaboration of the authors and review of the pertinent literature on online examinations. Universal sampling was done and all students of WMC were invited to participate in the study. Data collection was done by google forms and analysis was performed on SPSS.

Results: Students from all five years of the MBBS program participated almost equally in the study. Students of 1st, 3rd and 4th year were not contented with their performance in online exams whereas students of 2nd and 5th year were satisfied. Most students considered technological issues as a basis of their poor performance and proposed technical training before online exams. They also provided suggestions related to improvement of examination formats and tools.

Conclusion: Majority of the students found the online assessment more effective and helpful in improving their performance in exams. Student perceptions provided valuable insights for improving the online examinations system at Wah Medical College.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)295-300
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Rawalpindi Medical College
Volume26
Issue number2
Early online date27 Oct 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 27 Oct 2022

Bibliographical note

The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of Dr. Shakeel Ahmed, Ph.D.Biostatistics, statistician WMC, whose statistical expertise was invaluable during the analysis and interpretation of the data that has been collected.

Keywords

  • Online Assessments
  • Medical Education
  • e-assessments
  • student perceptions
  • Higher Education institutes.

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