Improving Online Learning in Developing Country: Voices From College Students in a National Survey

• In Event: Highlighting Learner Experiences With Online Instruction

Abstract

The temporary closure of educational institutions during COVID-19 has abruptly transformed the global education landscape. Many countries, especially developing countries, are struggling to adopt online education. This study used a machine learning approach to explore college students’ online learning experience in Sri Lanka during the pandemic by examining their qualitative responses to a large-scale survey. The findings highlighted urgent needs and challenges in terms of limited technology access, ineffective learning design, lack of technical, policy and administrative support, psychological and physiological burden etc. This study provides empirical evidence of online learning challenges from a resource-constraint society, and offers meaningful implications for universities and policy makers to create more student-friendly environments to support effective online learning during public crises.

Authors

• Wenting Zou, The University of Texas at Austin

• Shengjie Lin, Yale University

• Chen Meng, Indiana University - Bloomington