A Systematic Review of Chinese Students’ Online Learning Experience in Higher Education

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic prompts an increasing number of university students to engage in online learning (OL). China is one of the countries that have experienced a radical shift in this sense. Before the pandemic, the online mode of university study was not recognised as a legitimate educational experience in China; thus, a small number of Chinese students engaged in online study. Subsequently, there is a relatively incomplete understanding of their OL experiences. Given the exponential expansion of OL in China during the pandemic, it would be a timely effort to synthesise knowledge on Chinese students’ OL experiences. For that purpose, the present paper presents the results of a systematic literature review of 34 published journal articles concerning Chinese students’ online study. The results give a deep insight into Chinese distance higher education from students’ perspectives and call for more studies on the implications of relevant policy and cultural dimensions on Chinese students’ online study journey.