Face-to-Face vs. E-Learning Models in the COVID-19 Era: Survey Research in a Spanish University

Abstract

This study shows the results of an autobiographical questionnaire of Spanish university students regarding two different educational models caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: face-to-face and e-learning. The aim is to discover their perceptions and opinions about their experiences during the learning process and what they have experienced during this global emergency and period of home confinement. The sample is made up of 100 students from the Primary Education Degree programme and the research was carried out through a qualitative study of the questionnaire. The results, divided into categories of each educational model, show the interpretation that the students make of the current reality and their own learning process. The most important aspect of the face-to-face learning model, according to 75% of the students, is direct communication with the teacher, and for 88% of them this model was effective. For the e-learning model, the flexible schedule, the economic savings and explanatory videos are the relevant ideas that the students express, with 68% stating that it was an effective model. The main conclusion is that the students prefer to continue with the face-to-face learning process (49%) rather than online teaching (7%) or, failing that, mixed or blended learning (44%), where the theoretical classes could be online and the practical classes could be face-to-face.

Comparative Analysis of Teaching at Public Universities in Sinaloa during Confinement Due to COVID-19

“…Similarly, their results indicated a lack of teachers' familiarity with various digital tools, i.e., to facilitate their remote teaching experiences. Finally, the authors of [25] studied different educational models caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: face-to-face and e-learning. The main conclusion was that the students preferred to continue with the face-to-face learning process (49%) rather than online learning (7%) or, failing that, mixed or blended learning (44%), where the theoretical classes could be online and the practical classes could be face-to-face.…”

Big Data Analysis of Public Perceptions of Face-to-Face Learning in COVID-19 Era

“…Initially, many studies stated that people preferred face-to-face learning rather than online [2], [3]. Some of the reasons are the interaction between students and the boredom that quickly hits when studying online at home [3], [4].…”

Using Analytics to Identify When Course Materials Are Accessed Relative to Online Exams during Digital Education

“…According to the results presented in [10], the lack of interactions with teachers and classmates was a major hindrance during online learning. As presented in a survey [11], students preferred face-to-face education because 88% of them considered it effective. Contrarily, online and hybrid types of education were only considered effective by 7% and 44%, respectively.…”