A Survey of Student's Perception on Conducting Online Learning in the Home Environment during Movement Control Order (MCO)

Abstract

Due to Movement Control Order (MCO) by Malaysian government, Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) have implemented online learning approach for teaching and learning. Campus was off limit to all students and lecturers/instructors and laboratory access was denied. Platforms such as ZOOM, Webex, Google Meet and more were introduced to be used as online learning tools to communicate with classmates and lecturers/instructors remotely from home. This study aims to investigate the student's perception on his/her home environment for online learning during the MCO phases. An online survey was developed to assess the effect of MCO on students from several IHLs in Malaysia. The respondents consist of 525 students, 92.95% were undergraduates and 5.52% were postgraduates. 70.67% of the students enrolled in practical or laboratory classes through online learning during the MCO phase. The most used online platform for online learning was Google Meet at 88% of usage. However, through online learning, there are challenges experienced by the students during the MCO. One of the big challenges faces by them are their home environment during online classes. Approximately about 40% of the students complained on the suitableness of home environment for online classes. Without proper environment and lack of material and apparatus for experiment and practical work, it become hindrance for student learn at home.