Abstract
Online learning is a learning methodology implemented during the recent COVID-19 outbreaks.Lecturers and students need to use appropriate online platformsarising from the Movement Control Order (MCO) restrictions with effect from March 18, 2020, in Malaysia. In essence, the MCO prohibits Malaysians from attending to or organizing mass events or public gatherings, and where public and private educational institutions are concerned, they are not allowed to conduct any classesin situ. The only possible continuation of classes is via online learning. This case study had two research objectives: 1) Whatwere the challenges faced by educators when implementing online learning? and 2) How to overcome these challenges faced by educators in online learning? This study had applied the qualitative approach method, where researchers had distributed surveys, through a google platform, to a total of 20 educators. The results showed six (6) major challenges faced by educators in online learning, these being 1) students were less focused on online learning; 2) the platform/medium of learning was not satisfactory; 3) students left behind learning tools such as books and laptops in residential colleges; 4) students' internet access was less satisfactory to the extent that the lectures had to be extended from the actual time allocated; 5) educators' unstable internet access which disrupted the momentum of teaching; and 6) students did not attend the online courses. There were four (4) means to overcome these challenges 1) institutions to provide more comprehensive and e-learning platforms for online learning; 2) internet access for educators and students should be good to ensure smooth and uninterrupted online classes; 3) providing workshops or training programs on management of online classes for educators; and 4) for courses involving mathematical computation, in addition to a more suitable platform for teaching, the student population per group to be small in size to accommodate 10 educators while teaching. The results of this study shall benefit the management of private higher learning institutions and educators involved in online learning.
Highlights
The first-ever documented case of a Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia was reported on January 25, 2020, when a Chinese tourist, entering the country via Singapore, was found to be positively infectedwith the virus
Arising from the exponential daily increased in the number of Covid-19 infected cases, Malaysian Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced a phase-to-phase restricted movement order for Malaysians, known as the Movement Control Order (MCO) with came into effect from March 18, 2020 [18]
This study only reviewed the scope ofstudy on challenges and how to overcome the challenges faced by online educators, and in the future, the scope of the study may be extended to the scope of institutions and incorporating feedback from the students involved in online learning as well
Summary
The first-ever documented case of a Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia was reported on January 25, 2020, when a Chinese tourist, entering the country via Singapore, was found to be positively infectedwith the virus (being Malaysia’s first confirmed case of the Covid-19 infection in 2020). DuringPhase 1 of the MCO, amongst others, all public and private institutions of higher learning were required to postpone all classes and lectures for an initial period of two (2) weeks. Instead, these institutions were required to pursue classes and learning using any suitable online platforms beginning in April 2020. For the first time, all educators had to conduct courses and classeson an online basis This methodology has led to many challenges that educators faced when conducting these online classes. Outcomes of this research finding could be shared with interested parties and educators to understand the various challenges facing online learning methodology in the education fraternity in Malaysia and how to overcome these challenges
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