Students’ perception of online learning amidst the Covid-19 pandemic: A study of junior, senior high school and college students in a remote area

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many changes in all sectors of life, especially in the field of education. These changes aim to make the learning process more effective in the pandemic environment. However, it can be challenging, as some students do not give positive responses to these changes, especially those in remote areas. This article aims to identify and report students' perceptions about the effectiveness of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in the remote North Tapanuli region of Indonesia. Methods: In this study, data were obtained using an online survey involving 30 students from three levels of education, namely junior high school, senior high school, and college. They are students who the teacher appoints as class administrators; through them, the teacher communicates about everything—learning activities. So compared to his other friends, they know more about the implementation of online learning during the covid 19 pandemic. In addition, schools in remote areas have fewer students than schools in big cities. So we conclude that this research is considered representative with thirty students as the sample. The data gathered from the survey were analyzed using quantitative descriptive methods. Results: Results show that online learning is considered less effective by students in remote areas; this happens because communication networks and infrastructure do not adequately support them to follow online learning. Conclusion: Teachers need to evaluate how to teach as well as re-design models and approaches to be applied in learning. This can be achieved by adjusting to the student’s current situation to generate interest and willingness to learn online.

Evaluating Sustainable Online Education: A Cross-Disciplinary Analysis of IT Device Utilization among Slovakian and Hungarian University Students

“…Therefore, Tan et al [7] consider improving the quality of this domain. Harefa és Sihombin [47] also mentioned, in their studies, that students living in the countryside faced more difficulties in participating in online education for technical reasons. The lecturers also needed to adapt to this situation.…”

Students' Motivation and Perception in Learning Social Science Using Distance Learning Modality during COVID-19- Pandemic

“…This could be because they cannot communicate well with their teachers due to distance learning. They only use the assignment method, which is a one-way learning pattern wherein there is no teaching and learning interaction due to the COVID-19 pandemic [13].…”

“…Also, their disposition towards learning is affected by the depreciation of their values which is influenced by their modernistic and consumeristic mindsets, such as the influence of technology [10,11]. Also, the pandemic circumstance shifted the instructional modality from face-to-face to distance learning using either online, modules, or combination of both which affected their motivation and perception [12,13,14,15].…”

Students’ Time Management, Academic Procrastination, and Performance during Online Science and Mathematics Classes

“…Some of the students struggle to adjust to new situations. Different students have different ways of adapting to new learning (Harefa & Sihombing, 2021). When schools were shut down, the majority of teachers were forced to make significant adjustments.…”