INVESTIGATING STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVE ON E-LEARNING- A QUALITATIVE APPROACH

Abstract

The online learning trend started long before the Covid 19 pandemic. As a result of two years of strict online learning, education is nowadays seen differently, letting the door opened for researchers to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of this type of learning and its impact upon professional output for university students. The purpose of this research is to investigate students’ opinion regarding the online learning process. The objectives are: (1) to identify the perceived advantages of online learning; (2) to identify the perceived disadvantages of online learning; (3) to explore the role of online learning in students’ professional life. In order to collect data, the in-depth interview qualitative method was used, based on the interview guide. The sample included 40 students with at least one year experience in online learning. Results reveal that the advantages of online learning are: flexibility, comfort, resources saving, improving professional skills, more access to information, responsibility and improving personal life while the disadvantages are social interaction issues, health problems, lower involvement, communication issues, technical problems, problems related to understanding information, online addiction and some evaluation problems