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Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Emergency Remote Teaching through Online Learning ( ERT-OL ) has become the prevalent form of learning at many universities worldwide. At the same time, voices around the world have pointed to difficulties in online learning in general and to concerns regarding educational equity in particular. The current study sought to increase knowledge about specific hindering elements in ERT-OL and about the relationships between these elements from the standpoint of the following equity factors — socioeconomic status , language , and juggling among students who are also parents or working. To this end, the study analyzed 154 open-ended textual statements concerning the difficulties perceived by students at a university in Israel. The qualitative thematic analysis generated a map of hindering elements categorized in terms of a) processes: technology, pedagogy, content, situation and individual characteristics, and b) outcomes: cognitive, affective, social, and physical. The map revealed a mesh of intricate mediating and moderating links whose effect can intensify for each equity factor. On the positive side, seeds of mitigating strategies emerged as well. The study advances knowledge regarding ERT-OL hindering elements and their relationships and provides a better understanding of how these debilitating relationships may be exacerbated when equity factors are considered. Researchers and teachers interested in ERT-OL or in “normal” online learning in the future can use the map as a research and teaching framework to identify inequities and prevent further gaps.

Online courses have become widespread in higher education. Yet, despite their prevalence, they may not suit all learners. Personality influences learner satisfaction and therefore affects learning experience. This study explores the relation between personality traits (using Costa & McCare's Big-Five model) and student satisfaction with various of learning activities offered in online courses, called Techno-Pedagogical Learning Solutions (TPLS). The tested TPLS were discussion groups, digital books, online assignments, surveys/polls and media. Questionnaires were used to measure personality types and satisfaction of 108 university students enrolled in a credited online academic course. Significant correlations were found between all five personality traits and satisfaction with several TPLS. Cluster analysis method was applied to identify learners with similar personality traits. Four groups were formed and group’s satisfaction score was measured. It was found that learners assigned to the "neurotic" group exhibited low satisfaction with all TPLS, contrary to learners assigned to the "non-neurotic" group. The findings clearly indicate that personality plays a significant role in online learner satisfaction. Thus, personality traits should be considered when designing learning activities for online courses. Such personality-based personalization may ensure that no learner is left behind, regardless of his\ her attitude toward online learning.

Background The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID‐19) at the beginning of 2020 forced most higher education institutions to shift immediately from traditional learning to distance learning and emergency remote teaching (ERT). Objectives This research aimed to capture the authentic sounds of this unusual learning experience from the field while it was still fresh and to explore congruence with existing models of online learning success factors. We also aimed to examine the differences between freshman students and more advanced students (second year onwards) with regard to the emerging data and its respective model. Methods During the second semester of 2020, 170 Tel Aviv university students majoring in various fields responded to an online questionnaire consisting of open‐ended questions. Results and conclusions The researchers classified the themes retrieved from 1559 statements into a framework of critical success factors for distance learning. The framework included five dimensions: course, student, instructor, learning environment and institution. Well‐known benefits of distance learning emerged, among them flexibility and personalized learning pace. Nevertheless, the findings revealed that the rapid transition to distance learning posed challenges and difficulties, mainly concerning the readiness of students and instructors for this form of teaching and learning. The number of statements in instructor dimension indicated the importance of providing support and training to instructors and staff. Significant differences were found in students' perceptions according to the year standing. More advanced students made more ‘internal’ references, attributing more statements to student and learning environment dimensions. In contrast, freshman made more ‘external’ references, attributing more statements to instructor and course dimensions than students in their second year and onwards. Major takeaways The results may help in planning and preparing for times of crisis. From a broader perspective, the findings may help in designing ways to incorporate distance learning.

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