Managing Stress and its Consequences during Covid-19, the College of Technological Studies, Kuwait

Abstract

The unprecedented outbreak of Covid-19 and the suspension of classes while continuing teaching created disruption and a situation that added considerable stress not only to the management of technical and vocational institutions but also to teachers, trainers and students and their ability to cope with the situation. The shift to online teaching platforms rather than face-to-face learning caused emotional and physical consequences that affect the ability of teachers and trainers to achieve course objectives. This paper identifies and examines the emotional and physical consequences resulting from the use of online teaching platforms on teachers, trainers and students, in addition to examining the quality of online teaching platforms in achieving course objectives. The research involves designing, testing, and distributing questionnaires to a sample of teachers, trainers, and students as well as meeting with the Dean of the College of Technological Studies. The findings of this research revealed that teachers and trainers are more vulnerable to stress, and this can have a significant effect on teachers and trainers psychological and physical health and triggers emotional and physical consequences. In respect to students’ perception towards the effectiveness of applying online teaching platforms, the majority of students were disagreed that online teaching platforms helped in gaining the required skills, understanding cases studies and understanding the course topics. Thus, the management of the College of Technological Studies must ensure that teachers and trainers are well equipped with the required knowledge, skills and attitudes to overcome and/or reduce the consequences resulting from the use of online teaching platforms.