Resilient Strategies for Internet-Based Education: Investigating Engineering Students in the Canary Islands in the Aftermath of COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about notable changes in the education sector, specifically the shift towards online learning. This study examined the experiences of 124 engineering students in the Canary Islands, an EU ultra-peripheral region, as they adapted to online education during the pandemic. A comprehensive survey assessed students' experiences in five key dimensions, including satisfaction with traditional face-to-face learning, perceptions of the engineering department's transition to online learning, module-specific adaptations, personal adaptation strategies, and the adaptation of teaching staff. The study's methodology involved statistical analyses using Microsoft Excel v16.0 and SPSS 27 tools to identify patterns and draw conclusions. The findings indicate a nuanced landscape. Students demonstrated strong technological literacy and readiness for online learning. However, they expressed concerns about educators' digital proficiency and perceived a decline in educational quality. These results emphasize the critical need for sustainable, adaptable, and inclusive educational strategies, particularly in regions like the Canary Islands that face unique challenges. The implications of the study have broader relevance to digital education. It is essential to note the need for educators to receive comprehensive training in digital tools and methodologies to improve the quality of online learning.