Exploring Online Learning: Student Feedback on Factors for Effective Online Learning Post COVID-19

Abstract

This paper reports on a study of students’ views of online learning, the obstacles and challenges they experience, as well as their suggestions for improving the online learning model. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an unprece dented move for traditional post-secondary institutions from mostly in-person learning pre-pandemic to a quick transition to online learning to comply with pandemic-related restrictions. Despite years of progressive growth in the use of the online learning model before COVID, for many post-secondary stu dents , this emergency remote teaching was their first exposure to an entirely online learning experience. Students who might otherwise have not selected to study online were suddenly obligated to do so. Yet, there is an associated behavioural and technological learning curve for students to overcome to be comfortable and academically succeed with online learning. The goal of this study is to discern students’ experiences, motivations, benefits, and barriers with online education and how this shapes their intention of continuing or not with online learning. To investigate this, we conducted a survey of 177 Canadian post-secondary using open-ended questions. Qualitati ve data analysis was used to arrive at the primary findings related t o themes of 1) technology learning curve, 2) accessibility, 3) engagement, 4) agency, 5) distraction and procrastination, 6) support, and 7) isolation. These findings can aid uni versities and colleges to understand student views on online learning and, hence, to design and support this form of education more effectively.