Basic needs in online learning during COVID-19: a Malaysian students’ survey

Zambri Harun, Firdaus Mohamad Hamzah, Zulkhairi Zainol Abidin, Wan Fathul Hakim Wan Zamri, Hashim Hashimah

Abstract


The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged many nations economically and socially. This survey study involved Malaysia students in the tertiary level on their perspectives of online learning - their only possible method of learning throughout almost two-year of the lockdown. The online survey involved 1410 students in science, technology and engineering programmes throughout public and private universities in Malaysia. Despite a well-perceived success in online education, in a contrasting student perspective, there were many challenges faced by students from access to decent device and internet connection to a more mental-related issue such as their study environments. It is possible that the basic expectations in Maslow's hierarchy of needs model in online education are not met. More than 80% of students reported that technical-based courses such as computer programming or material science were harder in online learning. Again, more than 80% of students reported that it would be easier to understand the subject if they had a peer around. To stay current, universities will need to find ways to offer online education with a local blend to their current and prospective students.


Keywords


Online learning during a pandemic; underprivileged group; Maslow’s theory of needs in education

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References


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