Evaluation of a Customised Online Learning Environment – A Student Perspective

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine how students evaluate the online learning environment after eight months of its use. The scope and functionalities of the online platform had been recommended by its future users in the process of the platform design and construction. Once the platform was implemented, it constituted the main instructional means in the pandemic period and is being considered to be further used in post-COVID, hybrid model of education. The students who participated in the study encompassed all the undergraduate and postgraduate students of a medium sized tertiary institution. The data was collected with the help of an online survey tool. The online surveys were distributed to all the students after eight months of the distance instruction and made available for the period of four months. The author wished to examine and assess the outcomes concerning the students' perception of the platform in three areas, namely teaching remote classes, conducting student evaluation and reporting their activity. The study revealed positive opinions relating to being given an opportunity to continue studies during the pandemic, the accessibility of online resources and the functionalities the platform offers. Less approving views were expressed in relation to the online communication tools, the methods of teaching and assessment as well as the opportunity to improve IT competence. A possible direction which the contemporary education might take is hyflexing of teaching and learning (Hybrid-Flexible or Hyflex model) which combines the traditional in-class interaction, online synchronous sessions and asynchronous content delivery.