Table 2.

Results of exploratory factor analysis and reliability analyses from first-year medical students (N = 51), during COVID-19 distance learning lockdown, 2020. ^a

Category	Items in each category	Factor loading	KMO b and Bartlett test	Cronbach’s alpha c (%)
Computer expertise	This course helps me use the internet source more efficiently	0.88
	My use of computers increases after taking this course	0.74	0.55 d	65.7
	This course contributes to my knowledge of searching on the internet	0.84
	My computer knowledge increases with the course assignments and projects	0.68
Flexibility of distance learning	Distance education allows me to allocate my time better	0.83
	Distance education allows me to work at home comfortably	0.81	0.69 d	69.4
	In terms of use of time and location, distance education is flexible	0.68
	Distance education is appropriate to students with different learning capacities	0.56
Usefulness of distance learning	I believe distance education is useful	0.86
	A degree in distance education is as valuable as a degree in traditional education	0.77	0.81 d	82.5
	Distance education provides me with a valuable learning experience	0.91
	Distance education minimizes the inequalities in education	0.86
	Evaluation of the success in distance education is quite objective	0.39
Distance learning satisfaction	The student-centred instruction offered in this course through distance education is enjoyable	0.50
	The content of this course meets my expectations	0.70	0.71 d	65.7
	I like the content of the course which draws examples from real life	0.75
	I advise other students to take this course	0.78
	In this course I am pleased with the timely responses to my questions	0.60

^aFirst-year medical students enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

^bKMO, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin.

^cShows the internal consistency.

^dP-value <.0001