Online Distance Learning for Electronic Design Subject at Diploma Level during Pandemic in Malaysia: A Case Study on Student Awareness and Perception

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic outbreak globally had caused huge reformed in teaching and learning methodology. Online distance learning (ODL) had become popularly new norm to deliver knowledge that previously held face to face. However, the efficiency of ODL method on delivering a course that involve practical skill especially for Electronic Design subject is still not commonly understood. Hence, assessing students’ feedback throughout the running semester could provide insight to understand the effectiveness of ODL method implemented during the online class. This paper presents the study of students’ perception, awareness, and experience of ODL for Electronic Design subjects at Diploma level in Malaysia. The study sample was taken from one class consisting of sixteen students who took the Electronic Design subject. Data was collected through surveys that implement in different stages. The first stage was in the early semester, the second at the end of the semester, and the third was just before the students obtain their final semester results. Additional surveys were also taken in google form throughout the semester to cater to the survey questions other than in the previous three stages. Open feedback was also collected to understand any issues arising from the ODL implementation method for Electronic Design subjects, especially those related to hands-on activities such as lab exercises. This study could provide insight on the skill and competency that students obtained throughout the semester of ODL and improvement required on the methodologies that suit to students’ interest. The result of the study is expected to be used for curriculum improvement for this subject. Besides, the study result could be used as the references in future by universities to develop new curriculum that is suitable to be conducted in any form of delivery method and matched with requirement of accredited body as well as industry needs.