Digital Learning among Postgraduate Students in the Times of COVID-19: A Literature Review

Abstract

COVID-19, as a global pandemic has caused a dramatic change in the education landscape. With significant policies such as social distancing and movement restrictions, all educational institutions have been shut to flatten the curve. As a response to the unprecedented crisis, digital learning has been given rise to pushing behind conventional classes from primary to tertiary levels. The adoption of online lessons and digital classrooms has mechanized a new pattern of teaching and learning mediated by today's educators in most universities, polytechnics, and colleges. The educators and students are facing the ripple effects of the sudden shift to digital learning. Some postgraduate students seemed to recognize and prepare to embrace the dramatic shift. In any case, some were hesitant to move from customary figuring out ways to embrace digital learning. Therefore, several articles discussing impacts and challenges from postgraduate students' perspectives were summarized. Most of the current research recommended digital learning as one splendid approach to adapt during the pandemic period. Besides, study showed postgraduates' undergoing an assimilation process with the new norm introduced. Furthermore, existing research highlights postgraduate student's challenges such as technological difficulties, health, and lack of interaction. Thus, this paper aims to provide a literature review on digital learning from postgraduate student's perspectives of various papers and indicate the way forward.

The Quality of Distance Studies: Second-Cycle Students’ Position

“…This was mainly influenced by isolation, loneliness, and worry about getting sick (Ihm et al, 2021). The conducted research analysis showed that the most common challenges postgraduate students face are technological difficulties, health, and lack of interaction (Seladorai & Mohamed, 2021). According to Ayebi-Arthur (2017), strong IT infrastructure is a prerequisite for online learning.…”

Challenges of Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Education in Bangladesh During COVID-19 Pandemic: Students’ Perspectives

“…Khan et al (2021) highlight the technical problems related to computer and smart-phone management as a barrier to digital education. Seladorai and Mohamed (2021) put their concluding remarks saying that "the significance of understanding and addressing students' barriers in embracing digital learning such as technology, health and lack of interaction will propel the splendid side of digital learning". However, Khan et al (2021) state that "online education results are not always a boon for the educational community as they pose many opinions in the context of online teaching and learning, leading to widespread concern over the controversial issue of teaching education" (p. 442).…”

The development and evolution of the research topic on the mental health of college students: A bibliometric review based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer

“…Additionally, the isolation resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak has exacerbated mental health issues among college students [ 41 ]. In response to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions have adopted major policies such as social distancing and movement restrictions, and all educational institutions have been closed for an extended period [ 42 ]. Moreover, the shift from offline learning to prolonged online learning brings in a lot of stress and anxiety, all of which have a serious impact on the mental health of college students.…”