Covid-19 Pandemic: Analysis of E-learning Experience of University Students in Pakistan

Authors

  • Shamaila Burney Assistant Professor, Barrett Hodgson University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Sobia Iqbal Assistant Professor, DHA Suffa University
  • Kashif Riaz Assistant Professor, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University of Law
  • Syed Karamatullah Hussainy Professor, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University of Law

Keywords:

E-Learning, Covid-19, Higher Education, Online Classes, Pakistan

Abstract

The lockdown of education institutions has not only caused a significant interruption in students’ learning but also disturbed the entire academic system in terms of delivery of classes, examinations schedules, assignments, internal assessments, the admissions process for the commencement of new academic sessions, and job placement scenarios.  To minimize the loss of studies and balance the increasing stress among academic stakeholders during the COVID19 lockdown, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan asked and motivated the educational institutions to establish a virtual learning platform and facilitate the delivery of online classes and education dissemination during March 2020, to avoid the educational loss of students during COVID 19 lockdown. Following the directives issued by HEC, Higher Education institutions specifically Universities instructed their faculty members to shift from on-campus classes to the virtual Learning platforms and resume classes through online teaching to avoid the loss of studies during the closure of educational institutes in lockdown. Even though this Technology-enabled learning is relatively new for universities, teachers, and students, its acceptance is widely growing throughout the world amidst corona crises. This research study was an attempt to identify the feedback of students regarding the delivery of education through an online learning platform and the delivery of online classes during COVID lockdown. In this regard, an Online questionnaire developed through Google forms was circulated using different social media platforms after a research questionnaire pretesting. Data collection was done from two major provinces. A total of 550 responses were received from Higher education enrolled students during 9 – 16 May 2020. Findings reveal that the education sector and particularly Higher Education Institution have performed best during this crisis scenario of the sudden closure of Educational Institutes and have utilized technology well to avoid the loss and interruption of Education delivery during the COVID -19 pandemic lockdown. There have been some challenges that have been faced due to online learning which have been analyzed in this study.

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Published

06-10-2022