ONLINE EDUCATION AND INTERNET CONNECTIVITY PROBLEMS: A PERSPECTIVE OF THE TEACHERS AND UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS

Introduction: Online education has been integrated as an essential tool in dental learning, but internet connection challenges affect both students and faculty. These disruptions have implications on educational quality, student interaction, and test validity. Objectives:  The purpose of this research is to explore the effects of internet connectivity issues on online learning perceived by undergraduate dental students and faculty members in Dentistry Department, Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, Pakistan. Materials and Methods:  A survey was conducted at Dentistry Department, Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, Pakistan from June, 2024 to December, 2024 using structured self-administered questionnaires. Of the participants, 200 were students, while 50 were faculty. The participants were selected through a convenience sampling technique. For the analysis of the collected data, essential statistical tools were used. Results:  Internet disruption was a challenge that affected most of the students 72% and the faculty 60%. With limited connectivity, the learners were less engaged, missed part of the lecturer’s content, and faced technical challenges in tests. The preference for blended learning was higher among the students (78%) and the faculty (60%). Conclusion: Internet challenges greatly affect online dental education. The adoption of blended learning and infrastructural improvements are crucial for improving learning experiences.