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Learning Remotely during a Pandemic: Are Students in a Developing Country Fully Equipped with Tools for Swift Changes?

Author

Listed:
  • Eranda Perera

    (Faculty of Engineering, Sri Lanka Technological Campus, Padukka 10500, Sri Lanka)

  • Kelum A. A. Gamage

    (James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK)

Abstract

Many higher educational institutes are forced to the online mode of lecture delivery without fully understanding students’ perspectives of remote study during COVID-19, and the resource limitations of students to engage successfully in remote learning. The present study aimed to understand this gap and the students’ perspective. We collected and analysed the devices, which used by the students to connect to remote learning in a developing country. It was found that the majority of students are dependent on the laptop-smartphone combination to engage in remote learning, particularly the students in rural areas. The results highlighted the importance of smartphones in the online learning experience, considering their affordability, relatively long battery life, inbuilt internet capabilities, and portability. Although students indicated their willingness for remote learning, they clearly recognised the need for face-to-face teaching return to avoid some of the challenges and disadvantages they face as a part of remote learning.

Suggested Citation

  • Eranda Perera & Kelum A. A. Gamage, 2021. "Learning Remotely during a Pandemic: Are Students in a Developing Country Fully Equipped with Tools for Swift Changes?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-20, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8635-:d:607309
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    Cited by:

    1. Betul Yikici & Fahriye Altinay & Zehra Altinay & Ramesh Chander Sharma & Gokmen Dagli, 2022. "Adoption of Online Education and Pedagogy as New Codes of Life for New Future in Rural Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-19, May.

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