CHANGE IN LEARNING PERCEPTION DURING PANDEMIC AND BEYOND

Abstract

Since 2020, entire world adopted effective measures to counter the spread of deadly pandemic, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Restrictions, in terms of movement of people and goods, which was imposed by the governments, compelled various institutions to search for alternative approaches to maintain their stipulated work flow. Online platforms appeared to be best suited approach to cope-up with the altered and challenging environment. Education system was under the purview of these restrictive measures as well. As all the educational institutions were closed for a longer period of time, authorities tried online platforms, as a new avenue to provide education to the students. To provide effective and productive education, both the interactive (bidirectional) and non-interactive (unidirectional) communication strategies were adopted. In this longitudinal study, perception of three groups, i.e. Higher Secondary, Under Graduate and Post Graduate students were evaluated. Perception regarding online mode of education and gradual transition thereafter toward regular mode of education were taken into account while this study was conducted. To carry out this evaluation, two tier structured questionnaire survey was conducted amongst 320 students through the stratified random sampling. In the first tier, survey conducted through online mode, whereas, second tier of survey was carried out through off line/regular mode, that is after reopening of institutions from January,2022. This study suggested that, as far as access to the online mode of education is concerned, 87.50% students marked it to be the most positive factor whereas, 92% students considered network to be the major barrier. Study also revealed that there are perception wise differences amongst Higher Secondary and Under Graduate students. However, it could be opined from this study that after re-entering into offline mode, most of the students faced learning deterioration.