Remote learning challenges by public school teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: Malaysian case
List of Authors
  • Subbarao A.

Keyword
  • remote learning, challenges, teachers, teaching tools

Abstract
  • Technology has changed education, affecting how teachers teach and transfer knowledge. Teachers are agents in the phenomenon of digital learning due to the pandemic. The actions of teachers in implementing digital learning during the Movement Control Order to be analysed through observations or interviews in order uncover the actual implementation process, the teachers’ perspectives on and responses to the implementation of digital remote learning, how teachers adapted their classroom teaching techniques in using digital learning tools, and “how challenges during the introductory period was navigated. This paper aims to explore the remote learning challenges faced by public school teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight informants whom to be identified as public school teachers from two different states, Penang and Perak. Purpose sampling was used till the saturation point reached. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Five key themes were identified as the elements of remote learning in digital teaching which were teaching tools, facilities, training, IT skills and other skills. The findings show that although all the five main themes were important in remote learning, teaching tools was the most important element on contributing to the teacher’s challenges in remote learning. Furthermore, the findings also suggest that the occurrence of COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity for all teachers to use Information Communication Technology for online learning.

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