STUDENTS’ READINESS AND CHALLENGES ON ONLINE LEARNING DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the readiness on online learning during COVID-19 pandemic based on the conceptual frameworks adapted from Stauffer (2020), Butnaru et al. (2021), and (John Lemay et al., 2021). It is mainly quantitative in nature alongside some quantitative data. It examines the students’ readiness of shifting from the face-to-face teaching and learning to online learning. They are also asked to provide their experience of accessing online learning. The research data was collected at a local university in Malaysia through a survey comprises 71 student respondents and an interview with 10 student interviewees. The results of the research show that i) the students were exceled in computer skills but unfamiliar to the online platform; ii) students were satisfied with the internet network support quality; iii) few students used mono type online device to access online learning; iv) students did not have previous experience on online learning during high school and the students felt anxious before and during accessing online learning. The findings further reveal that the internet network support provided in the country is the factor of some students unable to access the online learning smoothly, they used more than one type of online device to access the online learning and felt anxiety on the disconnection of internet might affect their performance in assessments and presentation evaluation. The telcos are suggested to accelerate the upgrade of their internet network support quality in order to facilitate the success of the National 4IR policy in the country.