Dealing with the drawbacks of digital learning: a case study from a Malaysian public university

Abstract

This study aims to determine whether students are prepared for online education amid the Covid-19 pandemic. In particular, the education sector has been significantly impacted by the coronavirus outbreak in 2019, which forced higher education institutions to close to combat the epidemic. Online education was conducted throughout the closure and has continued until today. This study intends to shed light on students' challenges when learning online. The primary focus of this research will be on the difficulties that students face during the teaching and learning process. Using a mixed-method approach, data was gathered from 152 students at a public institution in Malaysia. To have a better grasp of the opinions of the students, interviews were conducted. The results demonstrate that the learners found the facilities, support, and communication difficulties. This study is expected to help instructors choose the most effective online teaching approach and develop greater empathy for students dealing with challenges out of their control. Future recommendations should establish how various higher education institutions contribute to the efficacy of online learning in light of the findings of this study.