Students’ Perceptions on Online Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/16.1/841Keywords:
Higher education, online teaching, online learning, perceptions, studentsAbstract
Virtual environments allow teachers to approach the teaching process inclusively and creatively, to facilitate the effective transfer of learning and to support student learning with new technologies regardless of various barriers. The hereby study evaluates the students’ views concerning the virtual delivery of courses during their learning process taking into consideration their former face-to-face teaching-learning experience. It was based on the theoretical part which included typical aspects of online teaching and learning are presented and the most recent studies in this area are reviewed. Following previous research, we aim to develop an innovative model of successful online teaching and learning in higher education. A questionnaire-based research methodology was designed for 355 students at a university in the North-Eastern region of Romania. The questionnaire with closed-ended items was used for assessing students’ attitudes on the online teaching activity. The results indicate students’ preference for online courses, as well as a number of significant differences, depending on the study specialisation or form of education. Any future changes to online teaching and learning in universities should also take into account students’ and teachers’ views on this particular issue. Such an approach should allow us to see whether and how effective the use of virtual teaching environments can be for both students and teachers in higher education (HE).
References
Abu, L., Chipfuwamiti, C., Costea, A.-M., Kelly, A., F., Major, K., Mulrooney, H. M. (2021). Staff and student perspectives of online teaching and learning; implications for belonging and engagement at university – a qualitative exploration. Compass: Journal of Learning and Teaching, 14(3), https://doi.org/10.21100/compass.v14i3.1219.
Abuhassna, H., Al-Rahmi, W.M., Yahya, N., Zakaria, M.A.Z.M., Kosnin, A.B.M., & Darwish, M. (2020). Development of a new model on utilizing online learning platforms to improve students’ academic achievements and satisfaction. International Journal of Educational Technololy in Higher Education, 17, 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-020-00216-z.
Ahmad, T. (2020). Student perceptions on using cell phones as learning tools: Implications for mobile technology usage in Caribbean higher education institutions. PSU Research Review, 4(1), 25-43. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRR-03-2018-0007.
Alexa, O. A. (2021). Students’ perception of online education during the COVID-19 pandemic. CES Working Papers, 13(3), 306-318, CESWP2021_XIII3_ALE.pdf (uaic.ro).
Almahasees, Z., Mohsen, K., & Amin, M.O. (2021), Faculty’s and students’ perceptions of online learning during COVID-19. Front Education, 6, 638470. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2021.638470.
Amiti, F. (2020). Synchronous and asynchronous E-learning. European Journal of Open Education and E-Learning Studies, 5(2), 60-70.
Aziz Ansari K., Farooqi F.A., Qadir Khan S. et al. (2021). Perception on online teaching and learning among health sciences students in higher education institutions during the COVID-19 lockdown. Ways to Improve Teaching and Learning in Saudi Colleges and Universities, 10, 177, https://doi.org/ 10.12688/f1000research.28178.2.
Ayu, M. (2020). Online learning: Leading e-learning at higher education. The Journal of English Literacy Education, 7(1), 47-54. https://doi.org/10.36706/jele.v7i1.11515.
Bekker, T., Nazir, C. (2021). Education lecturers' perceptions of organising systematic online teaching and learning during COVID-19 pandemic conditions in 2020 at two selected universities in South Africa. Journal of Education (University of KwaZulu-Natal), (84), 48-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2520-9868/i84a03.
Blonder, R., Feldman-Maggor, Y., Rap, S. (2022). What can be learned from lecturers’ knowledge and self-efficacy for online teaching during the Covid-19 pandemic to promote online teaching in higher education. PLoS ONE 17(10): e0275459. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275459.
Boghian, I. & Cojocariu, V.-M. (2023). Using games to build social emotional learning skills. Revista Românească pentru Educație Multidimensională/ Romanian Journal for Multidimensional Education, 15(1), 622-656. https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/15.1/715.
Boghian, I., Cojocariu, V., & Popescu, C. (2023). E-learning in higher education – pros and cons. In E. Soare, & C. Langa (Eds.), Education facing contemporary world issues - EDU WORLD 2022, vol 5. European Proceedings of Educational Sciences (pp. 294-304). European Publisher. https://doi.org/10.15405/epes.23045.31.
Bolliger, D. U., Wasilik, O. (2009) Factors influencing faculty satisfaction with online teaching and learning in higher education. Distance Education, 30(1), 103-116. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587910902845949.
Brittany, G. (2015). Online learning revealing the benefits and challenges. Education Masters, Paper 303. "Online Learning Revealing the Benefits and Challenges" by Brittany Gilbert (sjf.edu)
Cojocariu, V. M., Lazar, I., & Lazar, G. (2016). The Ambivalence of strengths and weaknesses of E-learning educational services. BRAIN. Broad Research in Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience, 7(3), pp. 55-74. https://lumenpublishing.com/journals/index.php/brain/ article/view/2089
Cojocariu, V.-M., Lazar, I., Nedeff, V., & Lazar, G. (2014). SWOT analysis of E-learning educational services from the perspective of their beneficiaries. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116, 1999-2003, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.510.
Coman, C., Tîru, L. G., Luiza Mesesan-Schmitz, L., Stanciu, C., & Bularca, M. C. (2020). Online teaching and learning in higher education during the Coronavirus pandemic: Students’ perspective. Sustainability, 12, 10367, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su122410367.
Curelaru, M., Curelaru, V., & Cristea, M. (2022). Students’ perceptions of online learning during COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative approach. Sustainability, 14, 8138. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138138
Da Silva, K.K.A., & Behar, P.A. (2020). Digital competences for online students. In: Isaias, P., Sampson, D.G., Ifenthaler, D. (eds) Online teaching and learning in higher education. Cognition and exploratory learning in the digital age. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-48190-2_1
Duță, N. (2023). Students' perception of online teaching-learning activities: Main lessons of Covid-19 pandemic. In E. Soare, & C. Langa (Eds.), Education facing contemporary world issues - EDU WORLD 2022, vol 5. European Proceedings of Educational Sciences (pp. 1305-1312). European Publisher. https://doi.org/10.15405/epes.23045.132.
Florescu, M.C., Bochiş, L.N., Barth, K.M., & Indrieş, M. (2023). Can dysfunctional negative emotions explain students' level of academic motivation in online learning at University? Revista Românească pentru Educaţie Multidimensională / Romanian Journal for Multidimensional Education, 15(2), 55 -72. https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/15.2/720.
Fyllos, A., Kanellopoulos, A., Kitixis, P., Cojocari, D. V., Markou, A., Raoulis, V., Strimpakos, N., & Zibis, A. (2021). University students perception of online education: Is engagement enough?. Acta informatica medica : AIM : journal of the Society for Medical Informatics of Bosnia & Herzegovina : casopis Drustva za medicinsku informatiku BiH, 29(1), 4–9. https://doi.org/10.5455/aim.2021.29.4-9.
Gilbert, B. (2015). Online learning revealing the benefits and challenges. Education Masters. Paper 303. https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/education_ETD_masters/303.
Hargis, J. (2020). What is effective online teaching and learning in higher education? Academia Letters, Article 13. https://doi.org/10.20935/AL13.
Hofer, S. I., Nistor, N., & Scheibenzuber, Ch. (2021). Online teaching and learning in higher education: Lessons learned in crisis situations. Computers in Human Behavior 121, 106789, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106789.
Isaias, P., Sampson, D. G., & Ifenthaler, D. (ed.) (2020). Cognition and exploratory learning in the digital age. Springer Nature, Switzerland AG, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-48190-2
Islam, N., Mondal, A. (2022). Challenges of online teaching-learning in higher education sector amid Covid-19: A study through the lens of students and teachers of West Bengal. Towards Excellence, 14 (3), 1081-1105
Islam, N., Beer, M., & Slack, F. (2015). E-learning challenges faced by academics in higher education. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 3(5), 102-112.
Jaschik, S. & Lederman, D. (2019). 2019 Survey of faculty attitudes on technology. Inside Higher Ed & Gallup. https://www.insidehighered.com/booklet/2019-survey-faculty-attitudes-technology.
Kaouni, M., Lakrami, F., & Labouidya, O. (2023). The design of an adaptive E-learning model based on Artificial Intelligence for enhancing online teaching. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 18(06), 202–219. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v18i06.35839.
Kim, K.J., & Bonk, C. J. (2006). The future of online teaching and learning in higher education: Educause quarterly, 29(4), 22-30. The Future of Online Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: The Survey Says... (weber.edu).
Krull, G. & De Klerk, D. (2021). Online Teaching and Learning: Towards a Realistic View of the Future, Latest - Online teaching and learning: Towards a realistic view of the future - Wits University.
Labăr, A.V. (2008). SPSS pentru ştiinţele educaţiei/ SPSS for educational sciences. Iaşi: Polirom Publishing House.
Laili, R. N., & Nashir, M. (2022). Higher education students’ perception on online learning during Covid-19 pandemic. Edukatif: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 3(3), https://doi.org/10.31004/edukatif.v3i3.422.
Laksana, D.N.L. (2020). The implementation of online learning during Covid-19 pandemic: Student perceptions in areas with minimal internet access. Journal of Education Technology, 4(4), 502-509.
Lamanauskas, V., Pribeanu, C., Santi, E.-A., & Gorghiu, G. (2022). Master students’ perceptions of online teaching and learning during the pandemic. Revista Românească pentru Educaţie Multidimensională/ Romanian Journal for Multidimensional Education, 14(3), 412-427, https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/14.3/616.
Li, X., Odhiambo, F.A., & Ocansey, D.K.W. (2023). The effect of students’ online learning experience on their satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating role of preference. Front Psychology. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1095073.
Marcus, J. (2022). What researchers learned about online higher education during the pandemic. its massive expansion created a worldwide laboratory to finally assess how well it works. The Hechinger Report, What researchers learned about online higher education during the pandemic (hechingerreport.org).
Maya, M., Anjana, V.M., & Mini, G.K. (2022). University students’ perceptions of shifting between online and offline learning: lessons from Kerala, India. Asian Association of Open Universities Journal, 17(3), 213-228. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAOUJ-03-2022-0031.
Mâță, L., Clipa, O., Cojocariu, V. M., Robu, V., Dobrescu, T., Hervás-Gómez, C., & Stoica, I. V. (2021). Students’ attitude towards the sustainable use of mobile technologies in higher education. Sustainability, 13(11), 5923. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU13115923.
Mishra, L., Gupta, T., & Shree, A. (2020). Online teaching-learning in higher education during lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 1, 100012, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2020.100012.
Naik, G. L., Deshpande, M., Shivananda, D. C., Ajey, C. P., & Manjunath Patel, G. C. (2021). Online teaching and learning of higher education in India during COVID-19 emergency lockdown. Pedagogical Research, 6(1), em0090. https://doi.org/10.29333/pr/9665.
Nawar Al-Saadi (2017). E-learning and its impact on future generations. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 17, 160 - 187. http://www.informingscience. com/Publications/3524
Nikolenko, O., Rebenko, M., Doronina, N., & Rebenko, V. (2023). The online EFL learning challenges in Ukrainian tertiary education. Revista Românească pentru Educaţie Multidimensională/ Romanian Journal for Multidimensional Education, 15(2), 17-34. https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/15.2/718.
Nishimwe, G., Kamali, S., Gatesi, E. & Wong, R. (2022). Assessing the perceptions and preferences between online and in-person classroom learning among university students in Rwanda. Journal of Service Science and Management, 15, 23-34. doi: 10.4236/jssm.2022.151003.
Okoye, K., Hussein, H., Arrona-Palacios, A., Quintero, H.N., Ortega, L.O.P., Sanchez, A.L., Ortiz, E.A., Escamilla, J., & Hosseini, S. (2023). Impact of digital technologies upon teaching and learning in higher education in Latin America: an outlook on the reach, barriers, and bottlenecks. Education and Information Technologies, 28(2), 2291-2360. doi: 10.1007/s10639-022-11214-1.
Oparaji, I., Nwosu, O., & Oguejiofor, C. N. (2022). Online teaching and learning in IMO State Public Secondary Schools during the Covid-19 pandemic era. African Journal of Educational Management, Teaching and Entrepreneurship Studies, 6, https://ajemates.org.
Radmehr, F., & Goodchild, S. (2022). A transition to online teaching and learning of mathematics in Norwegian higher education institutions: the perspectives of lecturers and students. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications: An International Journal of the IMA, 1-21, https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hrac014.
Rangel-de Lazaro, G., & Duart, J. M. (2023). Moving learning: A systematic review of mobile learning applications for online higher education. Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, 12(2), 198-224. https://doi.org/10.7821/naer.2023.7.1287.
Rodrigues, A. L., Cerdeira, L., Machado-Taylor, M. D. L., & Alves, H. (2021). Technological skills in higher education—Different needs and different uses. Education Sciences, 11(7), 326.
Sadiku, M. N. O., Adebo, P. O., & Musa, S. M. (2018). Online teaching and learning. International Journals of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering, 8(2), 73-75. https://doi.org.10.23956/ijarcsse.v8i2.549.
Sailer, M., Schultz-Pernice, F., & Fischer, F. (2021). Contextual facilitators for learning activities involving technology in higher education: The C♭-model. Computers in Human Behavior,121, 106794. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563221001175.
Saurabh, M. K., Patel, T., Bhabhor, P., Patel, P., & Kumar, S. (2021). Students’ perception on online teaching and learning during COVID-19 pandemic in medical education. Maedica, 16(3), 439–444. https://doi.org/10.26574/maedica.2021.16.3.439
Seifert, T. (2021). Students’ perceptions of online teaching and learning. Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Technology, 9(3), 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.52380/mojet. 2021.9.3.213.
Soliman, C., Salman, D., & GamalEldin, G.O. (2022). Students' perceptions of online learning in higher education during COVID-19: an empirical study of MBA and DBA students in Egypt. Future Business Journal, 8, 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-022-00159-z.
Sun, A. & Chen, X. (2016). Online education and its effective practice: A research review. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 15, 157-190. http://www.informingscience.org/Publications/3502.
Tanis C. J. (2020). The seven principles of online learning: Feedback from faculty and alumni on its importance for teaching and learning. Research in Learning Technology, 28. https://doi.org/10.25304/rlt.v28.2319.
Tanjung, F.Z., & Utomo, A. (2021). Investigating EFL students’ perception on online learning amidst Covid-19 pandemic. International Journal of Indonesian Education and Teaching, 5(1), 102-115.
Thomas, R. A., & Dello Stritto, M. E. (2021). What is the future of online education? The perceptions of instructors with over a decade of online teaching experience. The Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 24(4). What is the Future of Online Education? The Perceptions of Instructors with Over a Decade of Online Teaching Experience - OJDLA.
Tsang, J.T.Y., So, M.K.P., Chong, A.C.Y., Lam, B.S.Y., & Chu, A.M.Y. (2021). Higher education during the pandemic: the predictive factors of learning effectiveness in COVID-19 online learning. Education Sciences, 11(8), 446. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/11/8/446.
Utami, A.R., Rahmani, M.A., & Muhayyang, M. (2022). The students’ preferences of online learning during Covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Technology in Language Pedagogy, 1(1), 11 – 26.
Vesić, D., Laković, D., & Vesić, S. Lj. (2023). Use of information technologies in higher education from the aspect of management. International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education, 11(1), 143-151.
Wang, Y. D. (2014). Building student trust in online learning environment. Distance Education, 35(3), 345- 359. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1044384
Zhu, J., Zhao, H., Wang, X., Yang, L., Qin, Z., & Geng, J. (2022). Effects of online learning on college students in Eastern China: A structural equation model. Front Public Health, 10:853928. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.853928.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 The Authors & LUMEN Publishing House

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant this journalright of first publication, with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work, with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g. post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g. in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as an earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
Revista Romaneasca pentru Educatie Multidimensionala Journal has an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs
CC BY-NC-ND