Abstract
PurposeIn 2020, the education system was preliminary halted by the COVID-19 crisis and went through radical improvisation, and online-based distance learning was the only plausible initiative to continue educational activities ensuring health guidelines properly. However, in reality, such desperate measure in case of a lower-middle-income developing nation lacking proper structural capabilities raised some issues and concerns for both pupils and mentors, and this study aims to explore the practice of online-based distance learning in private universities of Bangladesh and the challenges associated with it.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory research is qualitative in nature. A total number of 89 undergraduate level university students from different private universities were divided into two main clusters and interviewed in depth.FindingsThe findings of this paper revealed that common developing country syndromes like improper technological infrastructure development, limitation to devices or internet accessibility and financial hindrances can disrupt the harmony of the online learning experience. Also, the lack of tech literacy has created a huge tension and psychological inertia among both the teachers and the students.Social implicationsThe coronavirus pandemic event, with its dreadful influence, is creating immense mental pressures for students to cope well with the online learning system. Comprehending the underlying challenges affiliated with online-based distance learning and enabling faculties or respected personnel with training and development programs to handle impediments better way, this learning initiative can ensure the best outcomes.Originality/valueThe significance of this study lies in comprehending the feasibility of online-based education regarding lower-middle-income developing nation context and the realism of such learning process's acceptability considering its actual effectiveness.
Highlights
With its contagious nature, the coronavirus (COVID-19) affected almost every county around the world rapidly, and the number of infected people and death increased alarmingly
From March of 2020 to the later periods, countries were trying hard to slow the spread of the coronavirus by implementing appropriate measures
Due to the growing infection rate, Bangladesh imposed nationwide public holidays and restrictions on public movement during the crisis where citizens were advised to stay at home and maintain social distance strictly
Summary
© Shamsul Huq Bin Shahriar, Sayed Arafat, Nayeema Sultana, Silvia Akter, Md. Mahfuzur Rahman Khan, J.M. Ekram Hossain Nur and Syful Islam Khan. Published in Asian Association of Open Universities Journal. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http:// creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
