A Proposed Model for Post-Pandemic Higher Education

Abstract

Education is one of the main sectors that has been drastically affected by COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. In this paper, after providing a brief background about the global impact of Coronavirus pandemic on different spheres of life, the effect of COVID-19 on education, in general, and higher education, in particular, will be discussed. Then, different types of online educational models will be reviewed. Next, the advantages and disadvantages of face-to-face classroom instruction versus online education will be elaborated on. Finally, a model for post-pandemic higher education will be proposed and delineated.

Students’ Perceptions towards Online Education during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Empirical Study

“…Following the disperse of Covid-19 globally, to continue as well as to save the academic year, the sole remedy at hand universities, schools, and colleges could consult was online education. However, teachers, students, and even the infrastructure of many educational institutions were not ready for this sudden and unexpected change (Keshavarz, 2020). Then, enormous ways were endeavored to turn education back on its proper path.…”

“…According to Wang, Shannon, & Ross (2013), Wilde & Hsu (2019), distant or online education suggests that learners are apparently/physically remote from the teachers and claim a transference type/method. Keshavarz (2020Keshavarz ( , p. 1386) stated: "traditional teaching strategies are practical; however, with advances in educational technology, the effectiveness of traditional learning methods has become something of the past." Despite the usefulness of such a model of teaching and learning, there are many problems associated with it.…”

“…However, to put it in a broader context, blended learning restructures courses that are designed, planned, and executed using a hybrid of online and offline learning experiences. In this line, Keshavarz (2020) points out that the chief difference of this method to other forms of virtual education is the combination of both traditional on-campus teaching and online teaching. Previous research has indicated that blended learning, compared to other models of virtual education, offers better students' interest, enthusiasm, commitment, and success (Soltanimehr et al, 2019;Donkin et al, 2019;Schlenz et al, 2020;& Wang, R. & Liu, C. 2019).…”

Technology Use in Teaching Literature Amid and Post-Pandemic: Teachers’ Perceptions

“…The government also suggested hybrid learning. It combines the traditional and online classroom aspects (Keshavarz, 2020;Sim et al, 2021). Students benefit from this approach as it promotes learning independence, discussion, better teachers' classroom management, material sharing, and learning before class meetings (Ekanayake & Weerasinghe, 2020;Haratikka, 2020).…”

“…Furthermore, synchronous learning, especially in video conferences, promoted students' learning engagement more than lecture recordings; therefore, hybrid learning was highly suggested for successful post-pandemic learning. Keshavarz (2020) proposed the methodology for online learning in the post-pandemic era, including online material sharing, online assessment, communication through synchronous and asynchronous platforms, and blended learning. Sim et al (2021) suggested higher education pedagogy, including increasing language skills and improving students' engagement, motivation, and confidence.…”