Online vs Face to Face: Perspective of Undergraduates on Learning English Literature at a Private University

Abstract

Since 2020, with the spread of the pandemic, the face-to-face teaching mode transformed into online mode with no other alternative. With regard to the tertiary level, all courses which were offered physically had to be adopted to the novel approach making both teaching and learning challenging. The present study examines learners’ viewpoint and what they have experienced so far in learning literature online during the pandemic. Consequently, the study provides an insight into the prevalent teaching mode and explores effective strategies followed using the appropriate pedagogical online tools or platforms, when adopting the literary content for diverse learning styles, and student engagement synchronously and asynchronously. The study involves undergraduates at a private university following their Bachelor of Education in English. These students enrolled to a physical learning mode though the pandemic has made them into learning online. Thus, the study compares their views on learning physically and online. Due to the closure of the university, both qualitative and quantitative data are gathered via an online questionnaire with the due consent of the participants. The findings indicate learning literature online is more effective compared to the traditional face to face learning mode. The results indicate that online learning enhances leaners’ study skills, stimulates, and facilitates their interest in learning, which transforms learning into a collaborative experience. Keywords: Online; perspective; undergraduate; literature; pandemic