Perception and Preference of Under Graduate Students on Different Parameters of Online Education during COVID -19 in South Bengal, India

Abstract

The Pandemic from the Corona Virus (SARS-CoV-2) has impacted the worldwide Education Sector tremendously. Due to it educational institutes across the state of West Bengal have been closed since March-2020. The Pandemic forced the educational community in West Bengalto shift their teaching-learning activities to online platforms.Teachers and students quickly adapted to synchronous i.e. interactive online classes along with asynchronous i.e. video-and other materials-based modes of teaching learning. Various online education platforms and facilitating tools are used heavily during this crisis period. This survey paper aims to get a detail report on the perception and preferences for different online teaching-learning parameters used by UG level learnersof different general degree colleges along with colleges of professional courses like BBA/BCA and engineering colleges fromthe districts of Bankura and Purulia of West Bengal.The students preference for different attributes of online learningmay be useful for designinga suitable online class environment.A survey work was done in online mode using google form. The form was circulated among several WhatsApp group of students of different colleges through their teachers.The result showed that almost 96% of thestudents prefer to use Google Meet or Google classroom with their smart phone for online classes. It was also observed that frequent loss of Internet connection in rural areas is moreprominent thanin the Urban and Semi Urban areas of South Bengal.Students preference has utmost importance to attract them for attending online classes. This article will be helpful to attract students in online classes in this crisis period.