Challenges of online education /distance learning for university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: An observation from Bangladesh

Abstract

Following the spread of COVID-19, online education/distance learning (OE/DL) was opted by the governments across the world. However, many challenges remained unexplored as OE/DL was quite an unfamiliar teaching approach, particularly in Bangladesh. This study was aimed at identifying the major challenges of OE/DL in Bangladesh from the perspectives of students. Data for this web-based cross-sectional study were collected using an e-questionnaire based on Google Form. Out of 451 initial responses, 419 were retained based on some specifications. The univariate analyses identified the financial, technical, and pedagogical issues as major problems. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis suggest a two-factor solution – ‘financial-technical obstacles’ and ‘pedagogical obstacles’ – with overall good reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.881; McDonald’s ω = 0.880). The two-factors, with strong intercorrelation (r = 0.552), meet the criteria of discriminant validity. To overcome the shortfalls of OE/DL in Bangladesh, inclusiveness with sustainable educational and infrastructural approaches was recommended.

Parental Engagement in Online Teaching and Learning During COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Sustainable Education

“…Financial challenges such as expensive internet packages and expensive digital devices were also major issues raised by the parents as challenges of online learning. This result is consistent with the study of Ela et al (2021) and Hossain et al (2021). The outbreak of COVID-19 has affected the means of livelihood almost in all countries around the world.…”