Distance education amid the COVID-19 pandemic from the students' point of view

Abstract

This study aims at exploring the forms, benefits and obstacles of distance education during COVID-19 pandemic. The study adopted the cross-sectional research approach. A sample of 377 university students were conveniently recruited during the second semester of the academic year 2020/2021. The researchers developed a valid and reliable questionnaire that consisted of three parts; they were investigating forms of distance education, benefits of distance education, and obstacles of distance education during COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the study indicated that synchronous e-learning and using social media channels were the mostly used means to deliver the educational material during the COVID-19 period. Reduction of the expenses and better academic performance were reported to be the most achieved benefits by the students from distance learning during COVID-19 pandemic. The study concluded that distance education during COVID-19 imposed different forms of education that in turn imposed various benefits and obstacles for the students.