Virtual Learning Strategies during Covid-19: A Case Study of The University of Lahore, Pakistan

Tehmina Aslam; Syed Mubashar Ali Shah Rizvi; Jawad Ahmad

doi:10.47264/idea.lassij/4.2.33

Authors

Tehmina Aslam School of Integrated Social Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2108-1682
Syed Mubashar Ali Shah Rizvi Research Society of International Law (RSIL), Lahore Office, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7193-8539
Jawad Ahmad School of Law and Economics, University of Kassel, Kassel, Hessen, Germany.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/4.2.33

Keywords:

Virtual Learning, Virtual Learning Strategies, COVID-19 , Pandemic, COVID-19 Pandemic, Education, Education Challenges, Learning Opportunities, Traditional Learning, Online Learning

Abstract

Due to COVID-19, the government of Pakistan had to take measures to bring about changes in almost all infrastructures, including that of education and decided to switch to a virtual learning environment and urged all educational institutes to adopt virtual learning strategies to facilitate student learning process. In an attempting to contain the virus instructed educational institutes to explore virtual space to continue learning process. The University of Lahore was one of the few universities in Pakistan that took the lead and decided to serve the learning purpose. However, due to cultural differences and dependency on traditional learning, most universities found it difficult to follow suit. The University of Lahore has crossed a milestone and emerged as a model for other universities across country. The virtual learning strategies that have been adopted by the University are no less than international standards and the administration have been working tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of this digital education system. Based on the student survey and faculty interviews, this study recommends regular virtual trainings by educational institutes and to overcome the issues of internet connectivity and electricity in the country as a whole to better deal with the challenges that lie ahead.

References

Bozanta, A., & Mardikyan, S. (2017). The Effects of Social Media Use on Collaborative Learning: A Case of Turkey. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 18(1), 96-110. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1124963 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.285719

Cameron, E., & Green, M. (2019). Making Sense of Change Management: A Complete Guide to the Models, Tools and Techniques of Organizational Change. Kogan Page.

Capper, J. (2001). The Emerging Market for Online Learning: Insights from the Corporate Sector. European Journal of Education, 36(2), 237-245. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-3435.00062 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-3435.00062

Chen, T. (2003). Recommendations for Creating and Maintaining Effective Networked Learning Communities: A Review of the Literature. International Journal of Instructional Media, 30(1), 35-44. https://search.proquest.com/openview/7694679edecb823835c032cf4a7ea173/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=30932

Dictionary of foreign words. 1990. M. Rus. lang.

Dourish, P. (1999). Where the Footprints Lead: Tracking Down other Roles for Social Navigation. Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-0837-5_2

Garten, E. D. (2000). Providing intellectual resources through technology to transnational virtual universities: good practice and lessons learned from world-class examples. Higher Education in Europe, 25(3), 361-371. https://doi.org/10.1080/713669276 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/713669276

Griffiths. E. P. (2004). Instinct in the ‘50s: The British Reception of Konrad Lorenz’s Theory of Instinctive Behavior. Biology and Philosophy Special issue on Animal Behavior. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/191844765.pdf. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/sBIPH-004-0537-z

Hassan, A. Abiddin, Z, N. & Yew, K, S. (2014). The Philosophy of Learning and Listening in Traditional Classroom and Online Learning Approaches. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/hes.v4n2p19 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/hes.v4n2p19

Hiltz, S. R., & Turoff, M. (2005). Education Goes Digital: The Evolution of Online Learning and the Revolution in Higher Education. Communications of the ACM, 48(10), 59–64. https://doi.org/10.1145/1089107.1089139 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/1089107.1089139

Jason. J. W. Jeremy, N. & Trifonas, P, H. (2006). The International Handbook of Virtual Learning Environments. Springer.

Kelly, P. & Roberts, L. (2000). Challenges for University Administrators in the Online World. Perspectives, 4(4), 95-99. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603100050145155 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13603100050145155

Lachman. J. S. (2010). Learning is a Process: Toward an Improved Definition of Learning. The Journal of Psychology. 131 (5), 477-480. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223989709603535 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00223989709603535

Li, Cathy. & Lalani, Farah. (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic has changed education forever. This is how. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/coronavirus-education-global-covid19-online-digital-learning/

Pittard, V. (2004). Evidence for E-learning Policy. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 13(2), 181-194. https://doi.org/10.1080/14759390400200179 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14759390400200179

Semradova, I. & Hubackova, S. (2013). Learning Strategies and the Possibilities of Virtual Learning Environment. Procedia - Social and Behavioural Sciences. 83, 313-317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.06.061 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.06.061

World Health Organization. (2020). WHO Director-General's Opening Remarks at the Media Briefing on COVID-19. https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---11-march-2020

Young, A., & Lewis, C.W. (2008). Teacher Education Programmes Delivered at a Distance: An Examination of Distance Student Perceptions. Teaching and Teacher Education, 24(3), 601-609. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/76085/ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2007.03.003

Watson, J., Murin, A., Vashaw, L., Gemin, B., & Rapp. C. (2013). Keeping Pace with K?12 Online & Blended Learning: An Annual Review of Policy and Practice. Evergreen Education Group. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED565714.pdf