Online learning during the Covid-19 lockdown: Learners’ perceptions

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is to investigate the perceptions of students on online learning during the Covid-19 lockdown. A cohort of 88 students of Malla Reddy Engineering College (Autonomous), which is situated in Hyderabad, South India, participated in this study. The sample population was selected randomly. The data was collected using a questionnaire. The results of the study reveal thatZoom is the most used virtual learning platform for online classes during the Covid-19 lockdown;students prefer online learning as they are comfortable with e-learning and they can learn at their own pace, students consider that online classes are not at all engaging;students think that online learning is difficult due to network and bandwidth problems;students favour blended learning approach from now on, and they prefer a blend of 30% of online and 70% of face-to-face education. The findings imply that educators should make their online classes more engaging and educational policy makers ought to take informed decisions about proportion of integration of in-class and online modes. Students’ views and aspirations about online learning should translate into policy decisions. © 2020 Innovare Academics Sciences Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.