CHALLENGES FACED BY STUDENTS AND FACULTY DURING ONLINE CLASSES AND EXAMINATIONS – FINDING A WAY FORWARD

http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2023/13.01.401

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: The traditional concept of classroom learning has been gradually replaced by

online teaching since the year 2020 when the world witnessed COVID-19 pandemic which

caused closing down of all teaching institutions across the globe, making more than one billion

children sit at home. Aim: To highlight the merits and demerits of online learning and

examination methods and to give recommendations for its improvement. Methodology: The

study population included 421 students and 220 faculty members of Fazaia Medical College

along with and other private schools and colleges of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. An online

survey was conducted using simple random sampling. Data was collected using separate online

Google forms for students and teachers. Results: 71.3% of students preferred on campus classes

and 23% of students did not take online classes seriously. During online exams, more than 50%

students had problems with internet connection and accessing the exam content. 46% of study

participants said that there were no institutional protocols and they felt stressed due to this. More

than 50% teachers preferred taking an online class from home and 25% of them thought that they

were not competent enough to take online classes. Conclusion: The main challenges for students

were lack of institutional protocols, non- availability of electronic gadgets, slow internet

connection during exams and poor accessibility to online exam content. For teachers; their lack

of proper training for conduction of online classes and examinations and non-serious attitude of

students were the main issues