CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS OF ONLINE STUDYING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

This research explores the challenges and benefits of online studying during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, recommendations from students are provided as alternatives for overcoming those challenges and improving online studying. Qualitative research collects the data through in-depth interviews based on open-ended questions. It can be summarized into ten challenges and four benefits. The challenges are technical challenges, difficulty in paying attention, lack of social life, digital illiteracy of instructors, no adaptation of curriculum to online teaching, lack of facilities/field trip/practical section, lack of immediate interaction, lack of self-discipline, office syndrome and difficulties in doing group assignments. The benefits are time flexibility, different channels for interaction, cost savings, and multitasking for learners. The recommendations can be divided into recommendations for students, instructors, and university staff. Instructors and staff need to enhance the instructor's digital literacy, adopt a suitable teaching style, improve curriculum and online tools, and require students to turn on cameras. For students, they need to set a suitable environment for studying, make an agreement with family members, set a schedule for doing assignments in advance, and turn on their cameras during the classes.