Meeting the Challenges of Online Education during Covid-19 Pandemic: Implications for Blended Learning

Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, technological and administrative systems for implementing online learning, and the infrastructure that supports its access and delivery, had to be adapted quickly. While disparity in accessibility existed between urban and rural students, extensive resources had been allocated and processes developed to connect learners with course activities and materials, to facilitate communication between instructors and students, and to manage the administration of online learning. Educators needed to make way for this transition with the available technological support and their existing IT skills. Although the pandemic is over, online education still remains a viable option for continuing education in an emergency situation. Exploring the challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic and delving deep into the nature and the types of these challenges and their possible reasons will pave the way of translating these insights into academic practices required for laying the foundation of blended learning (BL) in higher education. Recently the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh has published a proposal for adopting BL in the higher education institutions of Bangladesh. This case study consisting of both quantitative and qualitative research, explores the challenges faced by the teachers of the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) during the online shift of education because of the pandemic. Based on the findings, a blended learning framework has been developed which can be applied in tertiary level education in Bangladesh and elsewhere.