Perspective of students on a blended learning approach to a physiotherapy degree, through the Covid-19 pandemic years

Abstract

Abstract In 2019, Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) (Te Pūkenga) launched an innovative approach to the delivery of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree. The programme utilises a blended-block learning andragogy, of mixed face-to-face (block-week) and online learning. At the end of first 4-year cycle, it seemed pertinent to understand the students’ perspective of this new approach, whilst recognising possible effects of the COVID epidemic. An online questionnaire delivered to a convenience sample of students was distributed. Thirty-one (44%) of the 70-students completed the survey. Preference to continue with a block-week learning approach was split, with 32% of the students wishing to continue, 32% preferring discontinuation and return to full-time traditional campus teaching and 36% unsure. However, those that students preferring discontinuation predominately originated or moved to the Hamilton region during study. Those students that preferred block-blended learning were often from a population the initiative was originally meant to target and were unable to access the course in any other manner. To reduce fatigue and improve satisfaction, students also suggested mixing content delivery every week, for instance 2–3 days face-to-face sessions and 2–3 days online, moving away from block-learning but retaining blended-learning. Most students believed the course was well positioned to handle the effects of COVID-19 but recognised physical practical skills learning and clinical placement access was reduced. Future research would explore the specific benefits and barriers of blended/online-learning on physiotherapy specific content.