IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i11p5938-d561547.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Impact of COVID-19 on Educational Sustainability. Initial Perceptions of the University Community of the University of Cádiz

Author

Listed:
  • María Alonso-García

    (Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design Department, University of Cádiz, Av. de la Universidad 10, Puerto Real, 11519 Cádiz, Spain)

  • Tamara María Garrido-Letrán

    (Mathematics Department, University of Cádiz, Av. de la Universidad 10, Puerto Real, 11519 Cádiz, Spain)

  • Alberto Sánchez-Alzola

    (Statistics and Operational Research Department, University of Cádiz, Av. de la Universidad 10, Puerto Real, 11519 Cádiz, Spain)

Abstract

This research analyses the impact of COVID-19 on the Spanish university system during the period of home lockdown put in place by the government of Spain between 15 March and 21 June 2020. This period did not involve a change to online teaching. Instead, it involved emergency remote teaching, wherein the content of face-to-face teaching was taught through non-classroom training using media, devices and tools available at that time. The main objective of the paper is related to the perceptions of students and teachers on emergency remote teaching regarding the face-to-face model. We applied statistical techniques of descriptive and inferential analysis over a sample of 2778 students and 221 teaching staff from the University of Cádiz. We also analysed the methodologies used, as well as the acquisition of skills, competencies and knowledge by the students in this situation, in order to detect whether this type of action can achieve sustainable education. This term refers to education that is capable of maintaining the continuous quality of the training of each student, who should acquire the required knowledge and competences regardless of unforeseen events. However, according to the results of this research, the sudden transition to e-learning, based on available technological and computer-based methods, did not guarantee sustainable education or its quality. This study establishes different possibilities for improving non-face-to-face teaching in this kind of situation. The results show greatly concerning levels of training and evaluation, as well as worse acquisition of skills. Both teachers and students declared a preference for face-to-face teaching. This perception should prompt the educational authorities to solve the existing problems in e-learning education, improving the transition and guaranteeing the sustainability of non-face-to-face education. This research highlights the areas for improvement in e-learning education in the ongoing situation, the general uncertainty in the transition, the lack of communication and the completion of a fair evaluation system. The results show that the methods used in this period must be improved to achieve sustainable teaching and learning during a pandemic. The results also emphasize the uncertainty in the educational community about the entire process. This study will help the educational authorities to improve the change of paradigm in higher education in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • María Alonso-García & Tamara María Garrido-Letrán & Alberto Sánchez-Alzola, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on Educational Sustainability. Initial Perceptions of the University Community of the University of Cádiz," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-20, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:5938-:d:561547
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/11/5938/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/11/5938/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shoko Kawano & Masayuki Kakehashi, 2015. "Substantial Impact of School Closure on the Transmission Dynamics during the Pandemic Flu H1N1-2009 in Oita, Japan," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(12), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Claudiu Coman & Laurențiu Gabriel Țîru & Luiza Meseșan-Schmitz & Carmen Stanciu & Maria Cristina Bularca, 2020. "Online Teaching and Learning in Higher Education during the Coronavirus Pandemic: Students’ Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-24, December.
    3. Fan Wu & Su Zhao & Bin Yu & Yan-Mei Chen & Wen Wang & Zhi-Gang Song & Yi Hu & Zhao-Wu Tao & Jun-Hua Tian & Yuan-Yuan Pei & Ming-Li Yuan & Yu-Ling Zhang & Fa-Hui Dai & Yi Liu & Qi-Min Wang & Jiao-Jiao , 2020. "Author Correction: A new coronavirus associated with human respiratory disease in China," Nature, Nature, vol. 580(7803), pages 7-7, April.
    4. Wahab Ali, 2020. "Online and Remote Learning in Higher Education Institutes: A Necessity in light of COVID-19 Pandemic," Higher Education Studies, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(3), pages 1-16, September.
    5. -, 2020. "Education in the time of COVID-19," Coediciones, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), number 45905 edited by Eclac.
    6. -, 2020. "Education in the time of COVID-19," Libros y Documentos Institucionales, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), number 45905 edited by Eclac.
    7. Luiz Antonio Joia & Manuela Lorenzo, 2021. "Zoom In, Zoom Out: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Classroom," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-19, February.
    8. Fan Wu & Su Zhao & Bin Yu & Yan-Mei Chen & Wen Wang & Zhi-Gang Song & Yi Hu & Zhao-Wu Tao & Jun-Hua Tian & Yuan-Yuan Pei & Ming-Li Yuan & Yu-Ling Zhang & Fa-Hui Dai & Yi Liu & Qi-Min Wang & Jiao-Jiao , 2020. "A new coronavirus associated with human respiratory disease in China," Nature, Nature, vol. 579(7798), pages 265-269, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rozina Afroz & Nurul Islam & Sajedur Rahman & Nusrat Zerin Anny, 2021. "Students’ and teachers’ attitude towards online classes during Covid-19 pandemic: A study on three Bangladeshi government colleges," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 10(3), pages 462-476, April.
    2. Valentin Kuleto & Milena P. Ilić & Nevenka Popović Šević & Marko Ranković & Dušan Stojaković & Milutin Dobrilović, 2021. "Factors Affecting the Efficiency of Teaching Process in Higher Education in the Republic of Serbia during COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Rubia Cobo-Rendon & Karla Lobos Peña & Javier Mella-Norambuena & Nataly Cisternas San Martin & Fernando Peña, 2021. "Longitudinal Analysis of Teacher Technology Acceptance and Its Relationship to Resource Viewing and Academic Performance of College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-16, November.
    4. Jangwan Ko & Seungsu Paek & Seoyoon Park & Jiwoo Park, 2021. "A News Big Data Analysis of Issues in Higher Education in Korea amid the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-18, June.
    5. John Elvis Hagan & Frank Quansah & Francis Ankomah & Edmond Kwesi Agormedah & Medina Srem-Sai & James Boadu Frimpong & Thomas Schack, 2022. "Linking COVID-19-Related Awareness and Anxiety as Determinants of Coping Strategies’ Utilization among Senior High School Teachers in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-15, March.
    6. Aleksander Aristovnik & Damijana Keržič & Dejan Ravšelj & Nina Tomaževič & Lan Umek, 2020. "Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Life of Higher Education Students: A Global Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-34, October.
    7. Maqableh, Mahmoud & Alia, Mohammad, 2021. "Evaluation online learning of undergraduate students under lockdown amidst COVID-19 Pandemic: The online learning experience and students’ satisfaction," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    8. Elvie Barzo Gonzaga & Don Anton Robles Balida & Angelo Evangelio Gonzaga, 2023. "COVID-19 Precautionary Measures and Practices for Delivering Modular Distance Learning," World Journal of English Language, Sciedu Press, vol. 13(2), pages 1-98, March.
    9. Rima Wajih Hamed Daraghmeh, 2021. "Palestinian University Students' Perceptions of Distance Education in Light of the Coronavirus Crisis," Modern Applied Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 15(5), pages 1-1, October.
    10. Irizar, Patricia & Kapadia, Dharmi & Amele, Sarah & Bécares, Laia & Divall, Pip & Katikireddi, Srinivasa Vittal & Kibuchi, Eliud & Kneale, Dylan & McCabe, Ronan & Nazroo, James & Nellums, Laura B. & T, 2023. "Pathways to ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 health outcomes in the United Kingdom: A systematic map," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 329(C).
    11. Gene Klein, 2021. "Viewing Gamification Design Limitations and Weaknesses through a Pandemic Lens," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-8, November.
    12. Tabea Bork-Hüffer & Vanessa Kulcar & Ferdinand Brielmair & Andrea Markl & Daniel Marian Immer & Barbara Juen & Maria Hildegard Walter & Katja Kaufmann, 2021. "University Students’ Perception, Evaluation, and Spaces of Distance Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Austria: What Can We Learn for Post-Pandemic Educational Futures?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-25, July.
    13. Mubango Hazel & Muzariri Calvin, 2022. "Employee Engagement and Competitive Advantage during Covid 19 Pandemic in Small to Medium Enterprises, Catering Industry, Harare," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 6(4), pages 288-292, April.
    14. Ilona & Urbanyi-Popiolek, 2022. "New Insights into the Ferry Business in the Turbulent Environment," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(4), pages 63-73.
    15. Amith Khandakar & Muhammad E. H. Chowdhury & Md. Saifuddin Khalid & Nizar Zorba, 2022. "Case Study of Multi-Course Project-Based Learning and Online Assessment in Electrical Engineering Courses during COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, April.
    16. Giulia Orilisi & Marco Mascitti & Lucrezia Togni & Riccardo Monterubbianesi & Vincenzo Tosco & Flavia Vitiello & Andrea Santarelli & Angelo Putignano & Giovanna Orsini, 2021. "Oral Manifestations of COVID-19 in Hospitalized Patients: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-19, November.
    17. U. Y. Abdur Rahman, 2020. "Utilization of Indonesia’s Digital Economy to Invest in Human Capital and Provide Socio-Economic Support to Stimulate Economic Growth," International Journal of Business and Administrative Studies, Professor Dr. Bahaudin G. Mujtaba, vol. 6(6), pages 312-322.
    18. David Gomez-Zepeda & Danielle Arnold-Schild & Julian Beyrle & Arthur Declercq & Ralf Gabriels & Elena Kumm & Annica Preikschat & Mateusz Krzysztof Łącki & Aurélie Hirschler & Jeewan Babu Rijal & Chris, 2024. "Thunder-DDA-PASEF enables high-coverage immunopeptidomics and is boosted by MS2Rescore with MS2PIP timsTOF fragmentation prediction model," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-18, December.
    19. Francesco Gangi & Eugenio D'Angelo & Lucia Michela Daniele & Nicola Varrone, 2021. "Assessing the impact of socially responsible human resources management on company environmental performance and cost of debt," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(5), pages 1511-1527, September.
    20. Miquel Oliu-Barton & Bary S. R. Pradelski & Nicolas Woloszko & Lionel Guetta-Jeanrenaud & Philippe Aghion & Patrick Artus & Arnaud Fontanet & Philippe Martin & Guntram B. Wolff, 2022. "The effect of COVID certificates on vaccine uptake, health outcomes, and the economy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:5938-:d:561547. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.