E-Learning in faculties of engineering during COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan

Abstract

The recent pandemic COVID-19 has forced almost all governments in the glob to take stringent actions to counteract the spread of this new deadly various. In Jordan, the government introduced the Marshal Law and enforced lockdown of all activities in both of private and public sectors in the country including schools, universities and social gatherings. As a result, demand on the Internet increased sharply: working from home, on-line teaching and learning and on-line orders for different supplies. Such sudden and unexpected dramatic changes increased the load on the fragile existing network and available E-learning systems. In this study, online teaching process, in-house solutions for virtual coaching, in the faculties of engineering, was evaluated and analyzed, with focus on students' points of view. To achi eve such goal, a st ructured questionnaire was distributed to engineering students from different levels and streams. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine the level of satisfaction of students and testify how far the E-learning process was successful as compared with conventional classroom learning. It was concluded that students were not comfortable with this first experience related to online teaching, especially when it comes to specialized technical and practical courses as well as labs. Moreover, they faced serious problems in following up online lectures. This could be attributed to the fact that this is the 1st experience on distance learning and weakness in existing facilities and lack of awareness among students as well as staff members.