Evaluation of nursing educators’ perceptions of distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic and affecting factors

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate perceptions of distance education in nursing educators and affecting factors during COVID-19. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional research was conducted with 374 educators from different schools of nursing in Turkey. The data were collected using a Personal Information Form and the Perception of Distance Education Questionnaire and were analyzed by descriptive analysis, independent samples t-test and ANOVA, linear regression analysis, and thematic analysis. Results: Four factors related to educators’ perceptions of distance education were found: a high level of satisfaction with distance education (DE), incorporating brainstorming and video-viewing techniques, and the realization that course learning outcomes could be achieved. Seven themes regarding advantages of DE emerged: provided better time management, flexibility, and ease of access, video recordings of lessons made learning easier, physical environment issues were solved, DE is a suitable method for theoretical courses, DE made assessment and evaluation easier, DE ensured the continuation of education, and DE improved the educators’ technology skills. In addition, six themes regarding disadvantages of DE emerged: inadequate technological infrastructure, DE caused health problems, deterioration of the learning and teaching process, challenges in applied education, difficulties in assessment and evaluation, and an increase in educator and student workloads. Conclusion: To increase positive perceptions of nursing educators towards DE, active teaching techniques should be encouraged to increase satisfaction with DE. The perceptions of nursing educators should be taken into consideration to better structure the course curricula and to eliminate the distance education infrastructure deficiencies of the institutions.