Rapid migration from traditional or hybrid to fully virtual education in the age of the coronavirus pandemic: challenges, experiences and views of college and university students

Georgiadou, Elli, Lampropoulos, Georgios, Siakas, Errikos, Siakas, Kerstin V., Edwards, J. Adam ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9536-6782, Valtanen, Juri, Berki, Eleni, Paltalidis, Nickos, Rahanu, Harjinder ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3620-8036, Knezevic, Ratko, Čolic, Amela, Tomic, Bozana, Savva, Andreas, Stylianou, Vasso, Meiramova, Saltanat, Abd Elghany, Marwa, Khalifa, Nermine, Gevorgyan, Rita, Popa, Daniela, Odero, Jackline, Ali, Umulker, Panteri, Maria, Dennis, Karen, Stoffová, Veronika, Begum, Dilara, Chaudhary, Sunil, Plastira, Maria, Soylu, Demet ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0998-1728, Ross, Margaret, Staples, Geoff, Zamaraeva, Galina, Panov, Jury, Zhang, Xu, Portides, George, McGuinness, Claire, Valkanou, Theodora and Knezevic, Sandra (2021) Rapid migration from traditional or hybrid to fully virtual education in the age of the coronavirus pandemic: challenges, experiences and views of college and university students. Uhomoibhi, J., Linecar, P, Marchbank, P., Ross, Margaret and Staples, Geoff, eds. INSPIRE XXVI: Delivering Global Education and Impact in Emergencies Using E-Learning. In: e-Learning - INSPIRE XXVI Conference, 22-24 Jun 2021, Southampton, UK. e-ISBN 9781999654955. [Conference or Workshop Item]

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Abstract

The abrupt outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic throughout the world in March 2020 resulted in the sudden closure of all schools, colleges and universities, institutions, and an unprecedented pivot to remote learning. Students and teachers were confronted with the overwhelming challenge of migrating from the traditional face-to-face or hybrid mode of education to fully virtual learning and assessment environments within an extremely short amount of time. This migration was exceptionally difficult, as it took place halfway through the academic or school year in most countries. While pandemic restrictions currently vary across different regions, the 2020-2021 academic session continues to pose challenges despite the experience gained. In addition to a review of the current state-of-the-art in relation to the effects of COVID-19 on teaching and learning, this paper reports on an empirical study carried out in 26 countries (from Asia, Europe, Africa and America), by 36 academics from 29 academic institutions. Through an extensive global survey of college and university students, information was collected about the challenges (technological, economic, psychological) faced by them, as a result of the pandemic. We also asked the students’ to offer their ideas and suggestions for further improvements in teaching and learning, as we look toward a post-COVID world. In this paper, we address issues relating to the availability of, and accessibility to, necessary digital technologies (e.g., learning and communication platforms), isolation, disconnection, and loneliness among students, the overall impact of the pandemic on learning and academic performance, and the reliability of assessment methods., cybercrime dangers and fake information. A total of 1005 responses to the survey were received and analysed. The results are presented in this paper together with reflections of the authors. The paper concludes with a summary of suggestions for process improvements in distance education, and the need for preventive preparedness in the post-COVID period.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Keywords (uncontrolled): distance mode education; rapid migration; socio-digital divide; inequalities; pandemic
Research Areas: A. > School of Science and Technology
Item ID: 33443
Notes on copyright: Full text of proceedings extract is reproduced in this repository with permission:
© 2021 Solent University
The right of the authors to be identified as authors of this Work has been asserted by them in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, except with the prior permission in writing of the Publisher, or in the case of reprographic reproduction, in accordance with the terms of the licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.
Enquiries for permission to reproduce material outside of the above terms should be directed to the Publisher, Solent University.
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Depositing User: Adam Edwards
Date Deposited: 16 Jul 2021 09:55
Last Modified: 29 Nov 2022 17:50
URI: https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/id/eprint/33443

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