The digitalization of learning and teaching practices in higher education institutions during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

In the year 2021, the world was exposed to and is still facing a health pandemic, the Covid-19 pandemic. The modes of learning and teaching had to adapt to the unexpected challenges and multiple demands on education because of the turbulent waters of Covid-19. The situation remains fluid as there is an international and national escalation of the infection rates and as lockdown restrictions are lifted, institutions of higher education are having to re-shape and adapt the rigid learning and teaching approaches to be more flexible and provide solutions to these challenges. This article reports on the transformation of learning and teaching practices in higher education institutions in South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic. The purpose of this article is to reflect on how the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the modes of learning and teaching, despite several challenges that are still prevalent in these spaces. The article employs a qualitative research methodology approach and uses desktop research as a data collection tool. The findings revealed that the learning and teaching spaces are evolving to adapt to the circumstances, irrespective of the challenges, as it is an ongoing transformative environment that should ensure that these challenges are not exacerbated.