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Factors for Sustainable Online Learning in Higher Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Amanda M. Y. Chu

    (Department of Social Sciences, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)

  • Connie K. W. Liu

    (Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Mike K. P. So

    (Department of Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong)

  • Benson S. Y. Lam

    (Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Insurance, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected educational institutions and instructors in an unprecedented way. The majority of educational establishments were forced to take their courses online within a very short period of time, and both instructors and students had to learn to navigate the digital array of courses without much training. Our study examined factors that affect students’ attitude toward online teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is different from other online learning studies where online courses are mostly a method of choice, with suitable support from institutions and expectation from instructors and students, rather than a contingency. Under this specific environment, we utilized an online survey to collect students’ feedback from eleven universities across Hong Kong. Using partial least squares for analysis on the 400 valid samples we received, we found that peer interactions and course design have the most salient impact on students’ attitude, whereas interactions with instructors has no effect at all on students’ attitude. Furthermore, we also provide suggestions on using the existing technologies purchased during COVID-19 for a more sustainable learning environment going forward.

Suggested Citation

  • Amanda M. Y. Chu & Connie K. W. Liu & Mike K. P. So & Benson S. Y. Lam, 2021. "Factors for Sustainable Online Learning in Higher Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:5038-:d:546917
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Marian Buil-Fabregá & Matilde Martínez Casanovas & Noemí Ruiz-Munzón & Walter Leal Filho, 2019. "Flipped Classroom as an Active Learning Methodology in Sustainable Development Curricula," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-15, August.
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    5. Vlad I. Bocanet & Ken Brown & Anne Uukkivi & Filomena Soares & Ana Paula Lopes & Anna Cellmer & Carles Serrat & Cristina Feniser & Florina M. Serdean & Elena Safiulina & Gerald Kelly & Joanna Cymerman, 2021. "Change in Gap Perception within Current Practices in Assessing Students Learning Mathematics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-13, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhonggen Yu & Wei Xu & Liheng Yu, 2022. "Constructing an Online Sustainable Educational Model in COVID-19 Pandemic Environments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-16, March.
    2. 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.
    3. Bireswar Dutta & Mei-Hui Peng & Chien-Chih Chen & Shu-Lung Sun, 2021. "Interpreting Usability Factors Predicting Sustainable Adoption of Cloud-Based E-Learning Environment during COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-22, August.
    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. Fangfei Li & Tinghe Jin & Palitha Edirisingha & Xi Zhang, 2021. "School-Aged Students’ Sustainable Online Learning Engagement during COVID-19: Community of Inquiry in a Chinese Secondary Education Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-20, September.
    6. Eva Blondeel & Patricia Everaert & Evelien Opdecam, 2021. "And Then There Was COVID-19: Do the Benefits of Cooperative Learning Disappear When Switching to Online Education?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-18, November.

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