Challenges of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic encountered by students in Pakistan

Abstract

This paper aims to identify the challenges faced by Pakistani students during online learning environment, to determine whether a difference exist between males and females students regarding challenges faced during online learning, and to evaluate the effectiveness of online learning in Pakistan from students' perspectives. The population of the present study was consisted of students who were taking online classes in Lahore Pakistan. The study design was cross sectional and analytic study. A sample of 550 students was drawn. The technique of simple random sampling was used for this purpose. Google form questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. Frequency table were used to represent the findings. One Sample t-test applied regarding problem faced by students in online learning, Independent Sample t-test regarding difference between male and female students responses about challenges faced during online education and One way ANOVA for significant difference between qualification level of students responses about challenges faced during online education. Results revealed that all the students were facing same issues either they were school level or university level. Male and female students were facing same challenges in online classes. Online learning cannot produce good results in developing countries like Pakistan, where a huge majority of students are not able to access the good internet facility due to technical as well as financial issues. This study addressed the effectiveness of online and challenges faced by students who are taking online classes. As per this study, 88% of students had not proper internet facility and they faced lots of internet issues  and 65% students were not satisfied with online learning 85% students complaining about eye sight issue by taking online classes on devices 50% students were unable to manage the university affairs. As a result, we found that all the students were facing same issues either they were school level or university level. We also obtained that male and female students were facing same challenges in online classes.