Returning to the Academic Campus as the End of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The Covid-19 outbreak created challenges for higher education as well as opportunities for transitioning to flexible models of teaching and learning adapted to the vision and culture of institutions of higher education in the new era. This study examines students’ perceptions of face-to-face teaching and learning on the academic campus, after engaging in multiple e-Learning models during the pandemic. The findings of the current study show that we cannot resume full face-to-face learning as in the past. Most students (some 60%) expressed a clear and unequivocal preference for exclusive online learning. Students nonetheless expressed the belief that studying on campus allows them interpersonal and social interactions with students and faculty on campus. The findings of the current study support the consensus within the scientific community regarding the beneficial effects of socio-emotional learning programs on academic, emotional, and behavioral capabilities, the atmosphere in class, and students’ achievements.