Opinion of students on online education during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic forced universities around the world to shut down their campuses indefinitely and move their educational activities onto online platforms. The universities were not prepared for such a transition and their online teaching-learning process evolved gradually. We conducted a survey in which we asked undergraduate students in an Indian university about their opinion on different aspects of online education during the ongoing pandemic. We received responses from 358 students. The students felt that they learn better in physical classrooms (65.9%) and by attending MOOCs (39.9%) than through online education. The students, however, felt that the professors have improved their online teaching skills since the beginning of the pandemic (68.1%) and online education is useful right now (77.9%). The students appreciated the software and online study materials being used to support online education. However, the students felt that online education is stressful and affecting their health and social life. This pandemic has led to a widespread adoption of online education and the lessons we learn now will be helpful in the future.