Optometry Online Learning

COVID-19 has impacted Optometry colleges among other education specialties. The first reaction of all Optometry colleges was to shift to blended or online learning programs. Scholars argue, If blended learning has its importance during the pandemic, there are innovation requirements to meet up demands in learning and assessment. Ramani and Hussaindeen (2021) proposed tools and strategies that could support optometry educators to establish and expand networking to rebuild the mindset and the education system. They emphasized educators need to consider the new national educational strategy while restoring the curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment in optometric education.

Online learning systems have no doubt benefitted optometry students and help them complete their programs with minimal damage. However, the most successful online experience in Optometry education has been relevant to Optometrists more than students. This is being demonstrated through online continuing education, webinars, conferences, and online courses. Those who haven’t previously taken online classes, may not be aware of some foundation on online learning. Those foundations are based on the Andragogy theory about adult learners provided by Malcolm Knowles who was the foremost expert and authority on this learning style. This learning theory pertains to settings that are different than face-to-face classroom teaching that is normally based on pedagogy.

Andragogy is grounded on the premises that adults learn with independent self-directed self-concept, they apply their experience and critical thinking to solve problems, they are ready to learn with ready questions, oriented to learn by immediately applying rather than procrastinating, and motivated to learn moved by intrinsic motivating factors as they grew and matured. This explains why in some places while Optometry students struggle to attend online classes, we find Optometrists actively searching for the latest zoom conferences and online continuing education courses. If students are struggling to learn and understand online class materials and assignments, their dominant learning style is most probably anything other than visual learning that is at the foundation of online teaching and learning. For those struggling with online learning, it is recommended to learn adaptive strategies to compensate for the lack of a visual dominant learning style. A good way is to review Andragogical learning rules and principles and how to acquire specific skills related to this learning theory.