Exploring the Determinants Affecting Synchronous E-Learning During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Southern Punjab

Abstract

COVID-19 has damaged most of the institutions in the world. Whereas education is the only paradigm which was transferred to online mode in most countries; thus, the Pandemic outbreak converted the world into a virtual society. This study aims to understand the challenges faced by BZU (HEI's) students in Pakistan while switching traditional learning to online learning. The purpose of this study is to investigate the learners' new experiences in synchronous online education and assess the practicality of the virtual synchronous method of learning. The current study is conducted under the qualitative research paradigm, using in-depth interviews to collect data and thematic content analysis techniques for analyzing the data. The result showed a digital divide and lack of ICT skills hinder this virtual process's success. There is a crucial need to establish an excellent infrastructure to promote online learning on a routine basis so that education institutes can immediately switch from brick-mortar to click-mortar learning systems in emergent situations.