Transition to Web‐Based Asynchronous Education in Biostatistics Education During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case of Bursa Uludag University

Abstract

Background: Over time, the integration of advancing technology into education gained speed due to the pandemic. Alternative education strategies to traditional education emerged. The study aims to examine whether web‐based asynchronous (WBA) education can be used as an alternative to traditional face-to-face (FTF) education if the views of post-graduate students are in line with it. Materials and Methods: The opinions of 19 students who enrolled in the post-graduate biostatistics course in the spring semester of 2019-2020 and participated in both FTF and WBA were consulted. Students were asked 17 questions about the distance education perception scale, educational strategies and 3 open-ended questions. Post-graduate students were grouped according to their answers to the question of which type of education would prefer if the students had to take the biostatistics course once again. Results: Thirteen of the students stated that if they would take this course once again, they would prefer WBA, 5 students FTF and only 1 student prefer online education. While FTF students were more satisfied with FTF training (p = 0.014), WBA students stated that they were more satisfied with the WBA education (p = 0.004). WBA students thought that WBA education provides more flexibility in terms of time (p = 0.046) and resources (p = 0.007). WBA students stated this education would be preferred more in the future (p = 0.035). Conclusion: WBA education is a very good alternative for courses similar to biostatistics courses where computer programs are frequently used in practice. In case students and lecturers are provided with internet and necessary hardware and software support by the state and universities, the transition to WBA education may be permanent.

Keywords: Biostatistics education; Distance education perception scale; Face-to-face education; Web‐based asynchronous education; Word-cloud