Table 6 Themes of synchronous sessions which would support student learning
From: Student physiotherapists perceptions of online curriculum delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic
Theme: Additional interaction | |
Varied interaction | ‘Would be really useful to have a wider range of interactive opportunities. This would increase engagement and interest within the session, especially when watching from home and all the distractions that brings.’ ‘The ability to anonymously message the lecturer to ask questions or have discussions would consolidate understanding.’ |
Linked to clinical scenarios | ‘More thought-provoking discussions needed, with patients involved in discussions as we have on campus’. ‘Greater application to clinical scenarios and case studies, which is even more important when delivered online’. |
Personal approach | ‘Cameras are sometimes all off to allow for better signal, and this can make the session hard to understand who’s speaking and feels less personal.’ ‘No one turns videos on or microphones half the time. Therefore, we are just left looking at slides being talked over, and you feel less invested in the session.’ |
Theme: Smaller groups | |
Encourages engagement Group discussion | ‘Smaller groups work better, I feel this gives me the opportunity to engage more.’ ‘Less students would allow more group work, and increase the transferability to campus teaching… which needed linking up more.’ ‘If we had less people in the sessions it would provide more opportunities for group discussion. We have had this at times, but with large groups you can’t always participate, and it leaves some students unable to contribute.’ |
Theme: Teaching techniques | |
Diverse teaching techniques | ‘More tasks to do during the live sessions such as quizzes, word clouds, polls, break out groups.’ ‘Each online lesson becomes the same very quickly without variety in delivery methods.’ ‘Opportunities to interact, I don’t like the sound of my own voice, but it’s much more beneficial to speak rather than type.’ |
Overreliance on supporting content | ‘A variety of presentation methods needed especially when studying online most of the day.’ ‘More opportunities to interact and learn in different ways. Death by PowerPoint.’ |