Challenges and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on higher education universities in Klang Valley, Malaysia
List of Authors
  • Gunalaan Vasudevan , Samuel Aw Wei Kiat

Keyword
  • Online Learning, Improvement of online higher education, Challenges of Online Learning and Advantages Online Learning

Abstract
  • This paper discusses the standard of online higher education, which is often the subject of scepticism and criticism. Does the teaching and learning in virtual classrooms offer the same experience as in traditional classrooms? This is the question asked most often by university stakeholders. The most recent literature analysis showed that much research has been carried out on the use of technology in virtual education in terms of cost and improved productivity and online pedagogy. This study is based on the current literature on the quality of online e-learning in higher education, investigates the different perspectives on the issues and the challenges of online teaching and learning and proposes a quantitative framework that could improve the online teaching and learning process and its outcomes. There is a need to establish a structure within universities to enhance the quality and efficacy of online higher education. The proposed structure offers realistic guidelines on the quality assessment of online teaching and learning. The objectives of this study are achieved through a literature review, questionnaire survey and SPSS statistical test. The findings of the questionnaire survey are evaluated using descriptive and frequency statistics. The result showed that most users of the e-learning platform in Malaysia face difficulties and challenges. Even though most respondents are willing to adopt the new methods of conducting lessons using the e-learning platforms, there is a need for proper implementation and improvement of the online learning strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic because the students and lecturers do not have any other alternatives. The education sector in Malaysia would reach a new level once they have achieved the advantages and benefits of the e-learning platform.

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