Features of distance learning in medical universities in a pandemic condition

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed all aspects of life and learning in the world and in Ukraine. Quarantine restrictions made it impossible to conduct the educational process in medical universities by traditional methods (oral and written questioning, testing, attending lectures, participation in clinical trials and operations), which led to the restructuring of the educational process and the transition to distance learning. The aim of the work was to highlight the features of the organization of distance learning in higher medical institutions of Ukraine during the pandemic on the example of I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University. Learning management systems (LMSs) use the online learning platform Moodle to effectively conduct distance learning. Due to the dynamism, modularity, flexibility of this platform, students have continuous access to educational materials, undergo current and final test control of the level of knowledge acquisition and preparation for the exam Step-1, Step-2. The online service Microsoft Teams allows teachers and students to communicate in real time, conduct video lectures, discussions, surveys, control of students’ self-preparation, increase the motivational component of training by creating creative questions in Forms, running marathons and others. A high-quality distance learning process requires its digitization and informatization, teamwork of teachers and students, changing the role of the teacher as a mentor and coordinator, increasing the motivational component by introducing creative approaches to learning.