Telematic education in practical subjects: an evaluation by occupational therapy students

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged university education to maintain teaching activities in virtual and distance education formats, among other non-face-toface modalities. In this sense, this article exposes the impact of virtuality on the learning results of two practical-experiential subjects developed with first-year students, promotion 2020 of the career of Occupational Therapy of Universidad Austral de Chile. The research was of a statistical-descriptive and exploratory nature, in which students completed surveys through an online form entitled: “Impact of Methodological Changes in Practical Subjects”. The results are uncertain in relation to the pedagogical process experienced, with positive perceptions regarding the use of virtual tools and resources implemented and also significant difficulties associated with motivation problems, double presence, overload and depersonalization. It is concluded that, although virtual strategies in higher education are a powerful and a currently applicable resource it is essential that Occupational Therapy students have practical-experiential subjects in person for personalized support for the incorporation of basic and essential communication skills of the discipline.