Online learning during COVID-19: Key challenges and suggestions to enhance effectiveness
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62037/cjer.2021.01.01.02Keywords:
Online learning, COVID-19, challenges, suggestions, CambodiaAbstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on every aspect of society. It has caused profound disruption to the education system as governments around the world have temporarily closed educational institutions to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Face-to-face classes have been canceled and moved online, bringing about the rise of online learning that has allowed learners to continue their education. The sudden transition from face-to-face to online learning has, however, posed numerous challenges for students, teachers, administrators, and education leaders. Drawing on previously published sources, this article first attempts to explain different terms used to describe online learning. It then discusses key challenges posed by the widespread adoption of online learning during the pandemic, followed by a discussion of suggestions made by different researchers to enhance the effectiveness of online learning. The article concludes with a summary of key challenges and suggestions and brief recommendations for the broader adoption of online and blended learning in the post-COVID-19 world.
Downloads
References
Adedoyin, O. B., & Soykan, E. (2020). Covid-19 pandemic and online learning: the challenges and opportunities. Interactive Learning Environments, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2020.1813180
Chea, S., Kieng, S., Leng, P., & Water, T. (2020). Pedagogy of online learning in Cambodia: Revisiting ideas of connection, engagement, attendance, and assessment. AVI Policy Brief, 2020(19), 1-9. https://asianvision.org/archives/publications/avi-policy-brief-issue-2020-no-19-pedagogy-of-online-learning-in-cambodia-revisiting-ideas-of-connection-engagement-attendance-and-assessment
CETL (Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning). (n.d.). What is the difference between online and blended learning? https://sta.uwi.edu/cetl/what-difference-between-online-and-blended-learning
Daniel, S. J. (2020). Education and the COVID-19 pandemic. Prospects, 49(2020) 91-96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-020-09464-3
Dhawan, S. (2020). Online learning: A panacea in the time of COVID-19 crisis. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 49(1), 5-22. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047239520934018
Flynn, G., & Himel, J. (2020, March 23). School closures highlight inequality in education as classes move online. Cambodianess. https://cambodianess.com/article/school-closures-highlight-inequality-in-education-as-classes-move-online
Fung, F. M., Magdeline, N. T. T., & Kamei, R. K. (2020, June 10). How to create engaging online learning amid COVID-19 pandemic: lessons from Singapore. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/how-to-create-engaging-online-learning-amid-covid-19-pandemic-lessons-from-singapore-138979
Garrison, D. R., & Kanuka, H. (2004). Blended learning: Uncovering its transformative potential in higher education. The Internet and Higher Education, 7(2), 95-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2004.02.001
Gillett-Swan, J. (2017). The challenges of online learning: Supporting and engaging the isolated learner. Journal of Learning Design, 10(1), 20-30. https://www.jld.edu.au/article/view/293/269.html
Heng, K. (2020, July 05). COVID-19: A silver lining in the crisis for Cambodia’s education sector. Cambodian Education Forum. https://cefcambodia.com/2020/07/05/covid-19-a-silver-lining-in-the-crisis-for-cambodias-education-sector/
Jalli, N. (2020, March 17). Lack of internet access in Southeast Asia poses challenges for students to study online amid COVID-19 pandemic. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/lack-of-internet-access-in-southeast-asia-poses-challenges-for-students-to-study-online-amid-covid-19-pandemic-133787
Kaing, S. (2020, July 15). COVID-19 forces Cambodian higher education to adopt hybrid teaching and learning. Cambodian Education Forum. https://cefcambodia.com/2020/07/15/covid-19-forces-cambodian-higher-education-to-adopt-hybrid-teaching-and-learning/
Leif, E., Grové, C., Alfrey, L., Laletas, S., & Sharma, U. (2020, September 09). 5 tips on how unis can do more to design online learning that works for all students. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/5-tips-on-how-unis-can-do-more-to-design-online-learning-that-works-for-all-students-144803
Leng, P., Khieng, S., & Water, T. (2020, June 27). Going digital – The second phase of HE transformation. University World News. https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20200623154410596
MacIntyre, P. D., Gregersen, T., & Mercer, S. (2020). Language teachers’ coping strategies during the Covid-19 conversion to online teaching: Correlations with stress, wellbeing and negative emotions. System, 94(2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2020.102352
Martin, A. (2020, March 16). How to optimize online learning in the age of Coronavirus. UNSW Newsroom. https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/social-affairs/how-optimise-online-learning-age-coronavirus
Moore, J. L., Dickson-Deane, C., & Galyen, K. (2011). e-Learning, online learning, and distance learning environments: Are they the same? The Internet and Higher Education, 14(2), 129-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2010.10.001
Naffi, N., Davidson, A., Patino, A., Beatty, B., Gbetoglo, E., & Dupondel, N. (2020, October 01). Online learning during COVID-19: 8 ways universities can improve equity and access. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/online-learning-during-covid-19-8-ways-universities-can-improve-equity-and-access-145286
Offir, B., Lev, Y., & Bezalel, R. (2008). Surface and deep learning processes in distance education: Synchronous versus asynchronous systems. Computers & Education, 51(3), 1172-1183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2007.10.009
Park, H., & Shea, P. (2020). A review of ten-year research through co-citation analysis: Online learning, distance learning, and blended learning. Online Learning Journal, 24(2), 225-244. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1260330.pdf
Pearson. (2020, July 03). Online vs. blended learning: which is better? Pearson. https://www.pearson.com/asia/insights-and-ideas/articles/2020/07/online-vs--blended-learning--which-is-better--.html
Siemens, G., Gašević, D., & Dawson, S. (2015). Preparing for the digital university: A review of the history and current state of distance, blended, and online learning. Arlington: Link Research Lab. http://linkresearchlab.org/PreparingDigitalUniversity.pdf
Stauffer, B. (2020). What’s the difference between online learning and distance learning? The Applied Education System. https://www.aeseducation.com/blog/online-learning-vs-distance-learning
Sun, S. (2020, August 22). Rural primary education in Cambodia during the pandemic: Challenges and solutions. Cambodian Education Forum. https://cefcambodia.com/2020/08/22/rural-primary-education-in-cambodia-during-the-pandemic-challenges-and-solutions/
UNESCO. (2020, September 24). Cambodia: Digital education is here to stay. http://www.iiep.unesco.org/en/cambodia-digital-education-here-stay-13492
Winthrop, R. (2020, April 10). Top 10 risks and opportunities for education in the face of COVID-19. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/education-plus-development/2020/04/10/top-10-risks-and-opportunities-for-education-in-the-face-of-covid-19/
Yan, Z. (2020). Unprecedented pandemic, unprecedented shift, and unprecedented opportunity. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2(2), 110-112. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbe2.192
Zhao, Y. (2020). COVID-19 as a catalyst for educational change. Prospects, 49(2020), 29-33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-020-09477-y
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The articles published by this journal are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made.
