Evaluation of the online learning process during the Covid-19 pandemic period towards better future approaches of higher education perspectives on the Balkans

Vrenozi, Blerina and Harasani, Klejda and Memeti, Agon and Dukaj, Ela (2020) Evaluation of the online learning process during the Covid-19 pandemic period towards better future approaches of higher education perspectives on the Balkans. In: 5th International Marmara Sciences Congress (IMASCON 2020 Autumn), 4-5 December, 2020, Turkey.

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Abstract

Higher education is facing a new experience of online teaching in many countries due to the COVID19 pandemic situation during 2020. Amid the lockdown, universities faced mounting pressure while switching immediately to online classes to overcome critical conditions and protect stakeholders. This study aims to evaluate the perceptions regarding remote teaching and the interaction between professors and students in some of the Balkans universities during the COVID-19 pandemic period. A total number of 327 professors who had experienced online teaching during the second semester of the academic year 2019-2020 completed a survey with 24 multiple choice and other optional questions. Regarding previous online teaching experience, there was a significant difference between the Western Balkans universities included in this study (p<0.001). Moreover, universities were evaluated for their future teaching approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic, and blended learning is considered a proper and safe method by the majority of professors in all universities (p=0.003). When asked if they would prefer, in general, online teaching compared to face-to-face, the latter resulted in the best teaching approach (p = 0.037). The study found a significant relationship between professors and their students during online classes and their preferences for the ongoing online teaching approach (p <0.001). A significant relationship was also found between the teaching preferences either during COVID-19 or further continuing for online teaching, and professors´ specific feelings during online teaching such as attraction, monotony/annoyance, loss of concentration, feeling free and wasting time (p≤0.005). The results of this questionnaire identify the challenges that Higher Education Institutions (HEI) of the Western Balkans faced during online learning and professors´ perceptions regarding best approaches. They may provide valuable insight into improving the online teaching and learning process for future critical pandemic situations.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Engineering Sciences
Depositing User:	Unnamed user with email zshi@unite.edu.mk
Date Deposited:	14 May 2021 12:17
Last Modified:	14 May 2021 12:17
URI:	http://eprints.unite.edu.mk/id/eprint/712

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