Advances in Medical Education and Practice (Jun 2022)
Blackboard in Dental Education: Educators’ Perspectives During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Abstract
Afnan A Nassar,1 Mona T Rajeh2 1Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Afnan A Nassar, Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966 506378234, Email [email protected]: E-learning systems play a vital role in education during the COVID-19 pandemic. These systems allow educators to plan, deliver, and follow up on the education process during the closure of universities and schools. This study aims to report the experiences of dental faculty members using the Blackboard system.Methods: The study used a descriptive qualitative design. Data were collected from staff members at the Dental Faculty of Umm Al Qura University through semi-structured focus group discussions that were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for thematic content analysis.Results: The analysis revealed three barriers: (1) pedagogical, (2) technical, and (3) individual. For the advantages, three themes emerged: (1) ease of use, (2) ongoing support, and (3) usefulness. Most participants were satisfied with using Blackboard and believed it to be a valuable and complementary educational tool in dentistry.Conclusion: The reported experiences and recommendations are helpful for university leaders, policymakers, and program designers in improving the quality of e-learning in the future.Keywords: Blackboard, dentistry, e-learning, faculty members, qualitative study
