Self-directed learning: Alternative for traditional classroom learning in undergraduate ophthalmic education during the COVID-19 pandemic in China

In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a shift in medical education from traditional face-to-face to online or remote learning, which provided challenges to faculty and students that have traditionally given face-to-face instruction. Self-directed learning (SDL) has gained popularity in undergraduate education such as nursing and adult education. Although the application of SDL in many medical teachings is practical, the application of SDL in undergraduate ophthalmology education has not been well investigated. COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in the learning style of undergraduate medical students to adapt to the shift from traditional classroom learning (TCL) to online or remote learning. Self-directed learning is a process in which individuals take the initiative in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning goals, identifying resources for learning, choosing and implementing appropriate learning strategies and evaluating learning outcomes. This study compared students' perspectives and study outcomes of the SDL and TCL to preliminarily investigate the effect of SDL in undergraduate ophthalmology education. The students showed equal perspectives and satisfaction with both learning models. There was no difference in learning outcomes at the end of the study. The students with different interests in ophthalmology had different perspectives on SDL and TCL. Self-directed learning is an essential alternative to traditional classroom learning in undergraduate ophthalmic education during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.