Online Learning Diaries: The Voices of Allied Health Students During Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought an exceptional transformation in the education system worldwide. Literature indicated the impact of COVID-19 on students’ online learning experience, yet there is limited study on the online learning experience of allied health students. Thus, the study explored the online learning experience of allied health students. The study utilized the qualitative research method. Thirteen respondents participated in the study and were selected using snowball and purposive sampling methods. A semi-structured interview was done to obtain relevant information about the study. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data. The result of the study revealed that students have positive and negative experiences in online learning. Positive experiences include flexible learning opportunities and fosters learning opportunities, while negative experiences include technological factors, teacher factors, student factors, and health factors. The study revealed that the participants used the coping mechanisms: student’s self-efficacy: optimism and time management, staying connected with God, supporting the system, and social and recreational activities. The impact of the online learning experience on their career development includes inadequate clinical competence, worries about the future outcome, and traditional vs. online learning preference. Despite the accessibility and popularity of online learning in today’s world, the study found that allied health students had yet to recognize its value in their professional development.

Keywords: skills-based, clinical learning environment, coping strategies