Costs and benefits of online teaching and learning: The student's perspective

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all teaching and learning activities shifted online out of necessity. While in-person meetings were reinstated once the pandemic was under control, certain aspects of the online classroom have been maintained. We recognize that there are potential benefits and drawbacks to incorporating certain course activities online, as well as embracing a hybrid learning approach. To gauge the impact of online teaching activities, we distributed a survey among bachelor and master students at the Faculty of Science at Lund University. The results of the survey indicate that the vast majority of students prefer in-classroom teaching as the dominant format of teaching during their university studies, and nearly half prefer some online teaching as a complement to in-person teaching. More than half of the respondents perceived benefits of online course elements, but challenges related to reduced focus and lack of quiet space at home were stated to impede online learning. Based on the insights gained from the survey, we suggest teaching activities that aim to reduce the stated adverse effects of online teaching on student motivation. Our findings may provide input for shaping future pedagogical activities and may help to refine and optimize the learning experience for both students and educators.