Remote Practical Survey Result_Working File 01-03-2021.xlsx

Introduction: Practicals are core
components of an undergraduate health sciences curriculum to promote
experiential learning and motivation in students. With restrictions on
traditional forms of face-to-face practicals during the COVID-19 pandemic, we
designed and investigated if remote practicals could be viable alternatives to
conventional face-to-face exercise physiology practicals in cardiopulmonary physiology
teaching.
Methods: Student volunteers were
instructed to perform a graded exercise test in a remote setting and provide
their collected data for subsequent discussion in an online lecture with all
students. The effectiveness of this remote practical in promoting students’
motivation and learning outcomes achievement was then assessed using a mixed
methods design. Continual Assessment (CA) results on relevant topics were also
investigated.
Results: 61 (out of 81; 75%) students
in the module Human Physiology: Cardiopulmonary System responded to self-report
questionnaires and 49 (out of 81; 60%) consented to the use of their CA results
for this study. Results revealed that all students were moderately motivated and
attained strong achievement of learning outcomes. When compared to students who
did not volunteer for the hands-on component of the remote practical, students
who participated in the hands-on component reported significantly higher
self-efficacy (P<0.05) in explaining the practical procedures to their peers.
Qualitative analysis further revealed that experiential learning and real-life
data analysis were the central reasons supporting the effectiveness of the
remote practical. Students were generally satisfied and would recommend the
remote practical to future students.

Conclusion: Our study highlights the potential of remote practicals as
viable alternatives to traditional practicals.