TITLE:
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Learning Experiences of Higher Education Students in the New Zealand Tertiary Institutions
AUTHORS:
Olufemi Muibi Omisakin, Indrapriya Kularatne
KEYWORDS:
COVID-19, Learning, Pandemic, Tertiary, Student, Experiences, Online Learning, New Zealand
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.11 No.2,
February
18,
2024
ABSTRACT: Schools globally were forced to close operations during COVID-19 lockdowns. To keep academic activities alive most schools had to move classes to online learning platforms with no solid and adequate preparation. The objective of this study is to identify the impact of COVID-19 on tertiary students’ learning situations, especially their experiences of learning online during COVID-19 lockdowns. The research also explored what assistance is needed by students to improve learning during COVID-19 lockdowns. The study collected data from 104 participants from tertiary institutions in New Zealand, and the data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. The study has three sections. Section 1 found responses of Strongly Agree and Agree recorded between 52% and 66% of responses, indicating online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on students’ normal learning prior to moving learning online. Section 2 recorded 48% and 49% of Agreed and Strongly Agreed, that students had experienced positive online learning during the COVID-19 lockdown. Section 3 indicated that Agreed responses were recorded between 59.7% and 89.4% of responses on the need to assist students to improve learning online during the COVID-19 lockdown.