SHORT REPORT: Finding an effective way to create learning environments for didactic courses in a virtual classroom setting

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2021.211.621625

Keywords:

COVID-19, Didactic teaching, Interactive session , Virtual classroom, Zoom Webinar

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic forced college administrators to do virtual classes using Zoom webinars during the autumn of 2021. The study objective is to examine the relative efficacy of interactive vs non-interactive Zoom webinars in virtual classrooms during the COVID-19 era.

Methods: These two modes of live Zoom webinars were used for Year 1 Pharmacy students. Two surveys were conducted among students for general feedback on teaching and their preferred type of virtual learning.

Results: Amongst the 177 students present, 87 (49%) responded to the first survey, of whom 20 (23%) provided their feedback about the Zoom webinar. Amongst these responders, a relatively higher number of students preferred interactive Zoom webinars with student panellists. Also, of the 177 students, 118 (66.7%) students responded to the second survey on the mode of live Zoom webinars. Amongst the respondents, around 88-99 (74-84%) agreed or strongly agreed that a live Zoom webinar with interactive sessions is more effective than non-interactive sessions. Additionally, 73 (62%) of the respondents preferred five to ten students in the panel. Furthermore, the survey analysis suggested that the effectiveness of interactive sessions is the same irrespective of the instructors.

Conclusion: The results concluded that the interactive live Zoom webinar with 5-10 student panellists is effective in creating a learning environment in virtual didactic courses.

Author Biography

Santosh Kumar, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, United States

College of Pharmacy

References

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Published

09-11-2021

How to Cite

Kumar, S. (2021). SHORT REPORT: Finding an effective way to create learning environments for didactic courses in a virtual classroom setting. Pharmacy Education, 21, p. 621–625. https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2021.211.621625

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Section

Short Report