Teaching and Learning in Large Classes at Universities during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A view of Vietnamese Students

Abstract

Large class size is a challenge in many countries, affecting student performance and concerning educators, parents, and society. In Vietnam, during the Covid-19 pandemic, all teaching and learning activities in large classes at universities have changed into blended learning or online learning. The article focuses on the problems being faced by teachers and students in online teaching and learning with large class sizes. The purpose of this research clarified the level that lecturers and students taught and learnt in large class and the effectiveness of lecturing and learning in large class under the students’ perspective. This quantitative research used a self-developed online questionnaire. Participants of this study were 655 first to final-year (i.e. fourth-year) students who enroled in the Bachelor of Education degree in Vietnam’s universities and joined in large classes through online, blended learning, offline classes. The results pointed out that large classes have both positive and negative influences on the activities of lecturers and students. The interaction between lecturers and students in large classes is limited. There are many difficulties in teaching and learning in large classes that are related to classroom management, policies of universities, and the activities of lecturers and students. The problem cannot be completely resolved immediately. However, it is necessary to balance enrolment argets with available facilities and teaching staff. Universities also need to consider sending more teaching assistants to support lecturers and students in the teaching and learning process.