Bridging gaps in distance learning during a pandemic: exploratory questionnaire based analysis in Jordan during COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract

During the second semester of the 2019/2020 academic year, universities and schools around the world switched to distance learning to comply with the strict lock-down conditions and assure the safety of staff and students. Thus a structured self-administered questionnaire was used on an undergraduate sample of students (n = 573) enrolled in the Faculty of Pharmacy at one of the top private universities in Jordan. It aimed to measure the student's general attitudes, perceptions and obstacles witnessed during that period. The results indicate the need for implementation of a sustainability plan to assure the levels of quality in the program, by offering more proactive strategies that ensure the fairness of online assessments, and online students' affairs office, which will provide positive reinforcement to junior students and allow online academic counselling sessions that are focused on problem solving and emotional health which will in-turn stimulate quality distance learning practices.