The Effectiveness of Online Learning during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Malaysia

Abstract

The Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented in Malaysia on 18 March 2020. The MCO has changed people’s lifestyle to some extent because they have been advised to work from home. Due to this situation, the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE) implemented online learning methods throughout the MCO period to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Therefore, all schools have implemented online teaching and learning with the instructions of the MOE as a new norm to ensure that learning sessions are not delayed. The purpose of this study was to determine the level and factors of effectiveness of online learning for secondary school students studying economics subjects during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study used a quantitative research design employing a questionnaire as data collection instrument. The results show that the effectiveness of online learning for economics students is at a high level. The results of the survey illustrate that most students use mobile phones and laptops to attend classes that take place online. Furthermore, the study found that teacher factors are the main factors that influence the effectiveness of online learning among students. This research has implications for educators to apply online learning methods as a new normative teaching method to ensure compliance with the National Education Philosophy and the objectives of the Malaysia Education Development Plan 2013–2025.