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Table 2 Mentions by students (N = 10) of reasons for and against online and face-to-face formats and of desired improvements in the two formats

From: Online or face-to-face instruction? A qualitative study on the electrocardiogram course at the University of Ulm to examine why students choose a particular format

 

Pro

(number of mentions)

Con

(number of mentions)

Desired Improvements

(number of mentions)

Online

Flexible time management (8)

Individual learning speed (4)

Repeatability of the content (4)

Flexible location (2)

Lack of opportunities to interact (6)

Requires more initiative/self-discipline (4)

Takes up more time than the face-to-face course (1)

Integration of exercise or control tasks (7)

Personal interaction with direct contact person (4)

Integration into the compulsory curriculum (2)

Integration of an expiry date to accessing the course (1)

Integration of blended learning elements (1)

Face-to-face

Opportunity to have direct interaction with the lecturer (6)

More attention in small group teaching (6)

More commitment to participate and studying the topic more closely than in the online format (3)

Effort of participating (travel times, fixed location, overlapping with other courses, etc.) (1)

Integration of patients into the course (1)

Optimizing timetables to avoid time gaps between courses (1)

Reducing group sizes to promote active participation during the sessions (1)