Effectiveness of Online Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Students’ Perspective

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic brought a significant shift in higher education, leading to the rapid adoption of exclusively online learning methods in Sri Lanka’s state universities. Prior to the pandemic, E-learning was not extensively utilized in these institutions, with most bachelor’s degree programs relying on traditional face-to-face lecturing and physical interactions. However, with the emergence of quarantine measures and lockdowns to curb the virus’s spread, universities had to prioritize Elearning to continue academic activities. This research aims to explore students’ perspectives on the online learning experience in Sri Lankan state universities during the pandemic. This study seeks to understand students’ perceptions of the management of knowledge delivery, the effectiveness of learning and assimilating information, and the use of E-learning platforms in the context of exclusively online education. This study is based on the quantitative research method and data were collected using an online survey method. Further, we collected data from 386 undergraduates in seven state universities, Sri Lanka and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. By examining students’ viewpoints, this research endeavors to provide valuable insights that can guide educational institutions in enhancing their online learning strategies and meeting the evolving needs of students.