Developing, Validating, and Implementing a Tool for Measuring the Readiness of Medical Teachers for Online Teaching Post-COVID-19: A Multicenter Study

Figures & data

Table 1 Factor Loadings of the Items Under the Five Factors of the Survey Form (Using Principal Components Analysis)

Item*	Statement	Factor 1^‡	Factor 2^‡	Factor 3^‡	Factor 4^‡	Factor 5^‡	h^2	Mean	SD
19	During teaching, I incorporate online learning activities that are connected to real-world applications (ie, using real clinical cases, reflecting on applying knowledge in life uses… etc.).	0.72					0.62	3.95	0.90
25	I am oriented with online course planning.	0.72					0.58	3.94	0.92
29	I feel comfortable designing online interactive learning activities that provide students opportunities to interact with their peers, their instructor, and course content.	0.71					0.66	3.89	0.90
28	I feel comfortable writing measurable learning outcomes based on the taxonomy of the cognitive domain.	0.71					0.59	3.98	0.83
18	I enjoy online lecturing to my students for most of the class period.	0.66					0.50	3.82	0.96
23	I know how to check for plagiarism in student’s written assignments.	0.57					0.50	3.89	1.03
17	I expect online teaching to take more time than face-to-face instruction, and I am prepared for it.	0.56					0.45	4.13	0.89
24	I am always keen to participate as a learner in online workshops, discussion forums, webinars… etc., to update my knowledge and skills in online teaching.	0.56					0.44	4.24	0.84
26	I am good at creating online teaching materials (eg, lectures, handouts, manuals, assignments… etc.).	0.50					0.69	4.39	0.69
30	I understand the copyright law and Fair Use guidelines when using copyrighted materials in education.	0.50					0.51	4.25	0.76
22	I feel comfortable conducting interactive learning activities (eg, small group case-based discussions, PBL, TBL, seminars…) where students can interact with their peers and tutor.	0.46					0.44	4.28	0.83
27	I am able to create schedules for myself and stick to them.	0.45					0.59	4.36	0.73
10	I feel comfortable using social media tools to communicate with students and colleagues.		0.68				0.57	4.18	0.86
9	I feel comfortable communicating through speaking.		0.64				0.53	4.55	0.58
8	I feel comfortable communicating through writing.		0.62				0.48	4.44	0.68
11	I am ready to timely respond to communication requests from students and colleagues.		0.57				0.64	4.41	0.73
21	I am available to my students on a regular basis for questions and assistance.		0.52				0.52	4.37	0.69
20	I am willing to provide timely and constructive feedback to student performance.		0.43				0.56	4.29	0.70
4	I can send and receive emails, including opening and sending email attachments.			0.80			0.66	4.82	0.41
2	I can perform file management on my computer, such as copying, moving, renaming, and deleting files or folders.			0.75			0.58	4.80	0.44
5	I can use Internet browsers, such as Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, to locate resources for teaching.			0.63			0.59	4.66	0.55
1	I can use Microsoft Office tools such as Word and PowerPoint to create documents and presentations.			0.59			0.49	4.78	0.45
16	I am familiar with at least one synchronous online teaching platform, like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Canvas… etc.			0.50			0.53	4.49	0.72
7	I can add audio/video files to my presentations.				0.76		0.69	4.42	0.82
3	I can encrypt (lock with passwords) files on my personal computer to protect important data.				0.67		0.52	4.19	0.97
6	I can record audio/video using phone, tablet or computer.				0.59		0.64	4.39	0.77
14	I am comfortable using the learning management system or other online assessment tools (such as: quizzes, exams, assignments, rubrics… etc.) to evaluate student performance.					0.69	0.74	4.00	0.89
13	I am comfortable using tools in the learning management system (such as: uploading learning materials [reading materials, audio/video files…], synchronous and asynchronous communication, posting feedback, building forums… etc.) to facilitate student learning.					0.65	0.68	4.08	0.84
12	I am comfortable using the learning management system tools to develop an online course.					0.63	0.73	4.14	0.85
15	I am comfortable using the learning management system to record and report student grades.					0.61	0.73	3.92	0.95
Variance (%)		35.63	8.52	5.68	4.19	4.08

Notes: *Total final items are 30 items. No items were deleted. Items are sorted from item with the highest factor loading to the lowest in each factor. ^‡Factor labels are as follows: Factor 1: Online Teaching and Course Design Skills (n=12 items), Factor 2: Digital Communication (n=6 items), Factor 3: Basic Computer Skills (n=5 items), Factor 4: Advanced Computer Skills (n=3 items), and Factor 5: Using Learning Management Systems (n=4 items).

Abbreviations: h², item communalities; SD, standard deviation.

Table 2 Profile of the Respondents of the Three Participating Schools

Variable	CMMS-AGU (n=54)		FOM-SCU (n=120)		COM-IAU (n=43)
	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%
Gender
Male	33	61.1	44	36.7	13	30.2
Female	21	38.9	76	63.3	30	69.8
Total	54	100	120	100	43	100
Age Group
25–35 years	1	1.9	10	8.3	6	14
36–45 years	13	24.1	35	29.2	15	34.9
46–55 years	15	27.8	46	38.3	17	39.5
56–65 years	20	37	25	20.8	4	11.6
More than 65 years	5	9.2	4	3.3	0	0
Total	54	100	120	100	43	100
Academic Rank
Full Professor	15	27.8	55	45.8	5	11.6
Associate Professor	16	29.7	25	20.8	9	20.9
Assistant Professor	18	33.3	9	7.5	20	46.6
Lecturer	5	9.2	31	25.8	9	20.9
Total	54	100	120	100	43	100

Table 3 Instructors’ Perception of Their Readiness in Regard to “Online Teaching and Course Design Skills”

Statement	Response	CMMS-AGU (n=54)	FOM-SCU (n=120)	COM-IAU (n=43)
I expect online teaching to take more time than face-to-face instruction, and I am prepared for it	Agree	85.2%	81.8%	69.6%
	Uncertain	11.1%	15.8%	18.6%
	Disagree	3.7%	2.3%	11.7%
I enjoy online lecturing to my students for most of the class period	Agree	64.8%	66.7%	63.8%
	Uncertain	31.5%	24.2%	23.2%
	Disagree	3.7%	9.1%	13%
During teaching, I incorporate online learning activities that are connected to real-world applications (ie, using real clinical cases, reflecting on applying knowledge in life uses… etc.)	Agree	74%	70%	72%
	Uncertain	22.3%	26.6%	14%
	Disagree	33.7%	3.4%	14%
I feel comfortable conducting interactive learning activities where students can interact with their peers and tutor	Agree	96.3%	84.2%	83.7%
	Uncertain	3.7%	14.2%	2.3%
	Disagree	0.0%	1.6%	14%
I know how to check for plagiarism in student’s written assignments	Agree	66.6%	73.3%	69.8%
	Uncertain	22.3%	17.5%	11.6%
	Disagree	11.1%	9.2%	18.6%
I am always keen to participate as a learner in online workshops, discussion forums, webinars… etc., to update my knowledge and skills in online teaching.	Agree	81.5%	80.9%	83.7%
	Uncertain	18.5%	15%	14%
	Disagree	0.0%	4.1%	2.3%
I am oriented with online course planning	Agree	72.1%	78.3%	72.1%
	Uncertain	16.7%	16.7%	14%
	Disagree	11.2%	5%	13.9%
I am good at creating teaching materials (eg, lectures, handouts, manuals, assignments… etc.)	Agree	88.8%	91.7%	88.4%
	Uncertain	9.3%	7.5%	11.6%
	Disagree	1.9%	0.8%	0.0%
I am able to create schedules for myself and stick to them	Agree	98.1%	85.8%	79%
	Uncertain	1.9%	13.4%	16.3%
	Disagree	0.0%	0.8%	4.7%
I feel comfortable writing measurable learning outcomes based on the taxonomy of the cognitive domain	Agree	77.8%	75.9%	67.5%
	Uncertain	20.3%	20%	20.9%
	Disagree	1.9%	4.1%	11.6%
I feel comfortable designing online interactive learning activities that provide students opportunities to interact with their peers, their instructor, and course content	Agree	81.4%	64.1%	65.1%
	Uncertain	13%	31.8%	18.6%
	Disagree	5.6%	4.1%	16.3%
I understand the copyright law and Fair Use guidelines when using copyrighted materials in education	Agree	84%	85.9%	76.7%
	Uncertain	11.1%	13.3%	18.6%
	Disagree	1.9%	0.8%	4.7%

Table 4 Instructors’ Perception of Their Readiness in Regard to Digital Communication

Statement	Response	CMMS-AGU (n=54)	FOM-SCU (n=120)	COM-IAU (n=43)
I feel comfortable communicating through writing	Agree	96.3%	85.9%	88.4%
	Uncertain	3.7%	14.1%	11.6%
	Disagree	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
I feel comfortable communicating through speaking	Agree	96.3%	95%	97.7%
	Uncertain	3.7%	4.2%	2.3%
	Disagree	0.0%	0.8%	0.0%
I feel comfortable using social media tools to communicate with students and colleagues	Agree	92.5%	86.7%	65.1%
	Uncertain	5.6%	10.8%	16.3%
	Disagree	1.9%	2.5%	18.6%
I am ready to timely respond to communication requests from students and colleagues	Agree	98.1%	89.2%	79%
	Uncertain	1.9%	9.1%	16.3%
	Disagree	0.0%	1.7%	4.7%
I am willing to provide timely and constructive feedback to student performance	Agree	88.9%	83.3%	88.4%
	Uncertain	11.1%	16.7%	11.6%
	Disagree	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
I am available to my students on a regular basis for questions and assistance	Agree	100%	87.5%	83.7%
	Uncertain	0.0%	12.5%	14%
	Disagree	0.0%	0.0%	2.3%

Table 5 Instructors’ Perception of Their Readiness in Regard to Basic Computer Skills

Statement	Response	CMMS-AGU (n=54)	FOM-SCU (n=120)	COM-IAU (n=43)
I can use Microsoft Office tools such as Word and PowerPoint to create documents and presentations	Agree	100%	98.3%	97.7%
	Uncertain	0.0%	1.7%	2.3%
	Disagree	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
I can perform file management on my computer, such as copying, moving, renaming, and deleting files or folders	Agree	98.1%	98.3%	100%
	Uncertain	1.9%	1.7%	0.0%
	Disagree	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
I can send and receive emails, including opening and sending email attachments	Agree	100%	99.2%	100%
	Uncertain	0.0%	0.8%	0.0%
	Disagree	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
I can use Internet browsers, such as Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, to locate resources for teaching	Agree	98.1%	96.7%	97.7%
	Uncertain	1.9%	2.5%	2.3%
	Disagree	0.0%	0.8%	0.0%
I am familiar with at least one synchronous online teaching platform, like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Canvas… etc.	Agree	96.3%	90.8%	95.4%
	Uncertain	1.9%	5.8%	4.7%
	Disagree	1.9%	3.3%	0.0%

Table 6 Instructors’ Perception of Their Readiness in Regard to Advanced Computer Skills

Statement	Response	CMMS-AGU (n=54)	FOM-SCU (n=120)	COM-IAU (n=43)
I can encrypt (lock with passwords) files on my personal computer to protect important data	Agree	88.9%	83.3%	76.7%
	Uncertain	5.55%	11.7%	14%
	Disagree	5.55%	5%	9.3%
I can record audio/video using phone, tablet or computer	Agree	90.7%	92.5%	79%
	Uncertain	3.7%	6.7%	14%
	Disagree	5.6%	0.8%	7%
I can add audio/video files to my presentations	Agree	94.4%	91.6%	86%
	Uncertain	0.0%	3.4%	7%
	Disagree	5.6%	5%	7%

Table 7 Instructors’ Perception of Their Readiness in Regard to Using Learning Management Systems

Statement	Response	CMMS-AGU (n=54)	FOM-SCU (n=120)	COM-IAU (n=43)
I am comfortable using the learning management system tools to develop an online course	Agree	88.9%	80.8%	76.8%
	Uncertain	7.4%	14.2%	16.2%
	Disagree	3.7%	5%	7%
I am comfortable using tools in the learning management system to facilitate student learning	Agree	81.5%	84.2%	72.1%
	Uncertain	16.6%	10.8%	18.6%
	Disagree	1.9%	5%	9.3%
I am comfortable using the learning management system or other online assessment tools to evaluate student performance	Agree	79.7%	80.8%	76.8%
	Uncertain	12.9%	14.2%	11.6%
	Disagree	7.4%	5%	11.6%
I am comfortable using the learning management system to record and report student grades	Agree	77.8%	73.4%	72%
	Uncertain	11.1%	20%	21%
	Disagree	11.1%	6.6%	7%

Table 8 Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of the Mean Scores of Responses in the Three Studied Medical Schools

Factor	AGU (n=54)		FOM-SCU (n=120)		IAU (n=43)		F	Sig. (p-value)
	Mean	SD	Mean	SD	Mean	SD
Online Teaching and Course Design Skills	4.24	0.86	4.07	0.84	3.98	1.00	1.15	0.318
Digital Communication	4.64	0.58	4.28	0.69	4.31	0.86	5.13	0.007*
Basic Computer Skills	4.86	0.41	4.62	0.59	4.79	0.45	4.47	0.012*
Advanced Computer Skills	4.52	0.83	4.29	0.85	4.21	0.93	1.86	0.158
Using Learning Management Systems	4.11	0.86	4.02	0.86	3.98	0.99	0.29	0.746

Note: *Statistically significant.