Perception of medical students on the advantages and disadvantages of online assessment compared to traditional method in a tertiary level teaching hospital

Abstract

: The use of e-assessment/online tests have increased in higher education over the last two decades. Technology plays a positive role in students learning process and provides an opportunity to give immediate feedback. In India online mode was not used for formative/summative assessment except in fewer renowned institutions. But now it has increased recently because of COVID-19 pandemic.: This study aims to know the perception of I year MBBS students on the advantages and disadvantages of using online assessment in formative and internal assessment when compared to the traditional method.In a private medical college, Cross-sectional survey was done using standard and validated questionnaires with likert scale scoring (1-Strongly disagree, 2- Disagree, 3- Neutral, 4- Agree & 5- Strongly agree) for I year undergraduate medical students.Out of 115 students’ responses, 47.4% (36%-Agree & 11.5%- strongly agree) that online assessment has positive influence on their learning experience but only 39% were comfortable to use online assessment over traditional method and the others remained neutral (32%) and (29%) disagreed to the statement. By having online trial test and trainings 85.1% students agreed to use online assessment but still felt comfortable to use traditional method for assessment.From our study, we found that students did not prefer to switch from traditional to an online method in the form of learning or assessment. But they show their willingness to adapt to a blended assessment method.