Adaptation and Perception of Online Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic by Albanian University Students

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the perceptions and challenges of Albanian students during online learning carried out due to COVID-19 pandemic. The students were invited via email to give their perception of ongoing online learning. Responses were obtained from 627 college students from various study fields, such as natural, medical, and life sciences. The results showed that students had a more positive attitude towards the classroom learning environment. The main challenges that students faced were the unavailability of internet connection and the lack of technology devices. Students enrolled in technology-based programs and also those with high academic performance were more comfortable and satisfied with online classes (p0.001). The % of students who preferred the learning process be continued in the classroom was higher than those who preferred online education or a combination of both on-campus and online learning environments (p0.001). Students firmly state that online learning cannot replace the classroom. The findings suggested that Albanian students are not familiar enough with technology-based education. Online teaching must be integrated gradually into Albanian education depending also on students’ characteristics. The learning process must be effectively organized by professors, taking into account students’ dissatisfactions and difficulties with e-learning and considering the overall limitations of this method.

What do College Learners Think of Synchronous Learning?

“…The Albanian learners showed a greater interest in traditional face-to-face classes rather than synchronous teaching. This finding is in line with the results from another study (Xhelili et al, 2021) where the Albanian students also showed a great preference for face-to-face learning. The two most favourite formats chosen by the learners as future trends in teaching and learning in higher education in Albania were face-to-face and blended models.…”

An Investigation of Visual Arts Teachers’ Attitudes towards Distance Education in the Time of COVID-19

“…Few studies have demonstrated the equal effectiveness of online learning platforms and face-to-face teaching (Barbour & Mulcahy, 2009;Barker & Wendel, 2001). Most research on distance education has focused on the general education population (Altowairiki, 2021;Batmang et al, 2021;Demosthenous, Panaoura & Eteokleous;Ilhan, Kaba & Sin, 2021;Kaban, 2021;Niemi & Kousa, 2020;Yılmaz İnce, Kabul & Diler, 2020;Xhelili et al, 2021). However, research on the effects of distance education in visual arts courses and the attitudes and behaviors of teachers and students in these courses is very limited (Doğru, 2020;Kaleli, 2021).…”

Readiness Levels of Music Teachers for Online Learning during the COVID 19 Pandemic

“…All these unexpected and extraordinary conditions brought distance education technologies in general and online learning applications in particular to the fore at all levels from pre-school to higher education. As a result, online learning programs such as Adobe Connect, Microsoft Teams and Zoom and distance education systems were put into practice in university courses (Batmang et al, 2021;Paudel, 2021;Xhelili et al, 2021).…”