Comparative Perceptions of Online versus Face-to-Face Learning and Assessment among Dental and Medical Students in Malaysia during the Post-COVID-19 Era

The COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed a shift towards student-centric higher education. As physical distancing measures were enforced globally, online education replaced traditional face-to-face learning. In the post-pandemic phase, understanding the perceptions of students is essential for optimising blended learning models. This study examines the perceptions of dental and medical students in Malaysia regarding online learning and assessment during the pandemic, in comparison to traditional methods. Conducted as a cross-sectional study, it involved 585 students (aged 18 to 27 years) from 15 medical and dental colleges in Malaysia. A validated questionnaire was distributed via Google Forms. The study revealed that both dental (50.09%) and medical (49.91%) students were proficient with online learning tools. They expressed a clear preference for a hybrid learning model after the pandemic. While overall perceptions of online education were similar, dental students rated the quality and authenticity of online assessments higher than medical students, indicating differences in assessment preferences. These insights can guide the development of more effective teaching, learning, and assessment strategies in the evolving educational landscape.