E-readiness of senior secondary school learners to online learning transition amid COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract

In the backdrop of recent COVID-19 lockdown, the school learners across the country have had the opportunity to experience online mode of learning. This study attempts to find out e-readiness of senior secondary school learners for transition to online learning along with their views on this mode of learning transaction. Quantitative descriptive survey method was used for the purpose of this study. A questionnaire comprising 20 Likert-type items covering four dimensions, viz. access, digital literacy and e-readiness, delivery of online learning, and online load, was administered on a 100-student sample from different schools of Delhi using non-probability sampling. Access to online learning and online load on learners were found to be high. The study also revealed that only 35.2% learners found online classes as effective as face-to-face classes. The delivery of online learning by teachers and digital skills of learners were found lacking. The geographical scope of the study is limited to National Capital Region of Delhi which has better smartphone penetration and internet access as compared to other states in India. The study concludes that online pedagogy and digital skills of teachers and learners need to be strengthened for a possible roadmap ahead. The study may provide useful insights into the challenges of online learning and areas for further improvement.