University lecturers’ insights: online teaching amidst the Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia

• Main Authors: Uswatun Nurrahmah Noorhassanah, Mohd Affaddil Izmi Roslan
• Format: Proceedings
• Language: English; English
• Published: Pusat e-pembelajaran, UMS 2023
• Subjects: LB2300-2430 Higher education; TK5101-6720 Telecommunication Including telegraphy, telephone, radio, radar, television
• Online Access: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/41342/1/ABSTRACT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/41342/2/FULL%20TEXT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/41342/; https://oer.ums.edu.my/handle/oer_source_files/2781

In the early March 2020, due to the critical nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, which posed significant risk of fatalities, there was a shift and urgent implementation of certain degree of lockdown across the globe. These measures included adhering to recommended guidelines such as the cancellation of events and gatherings, restrictions on public places and transportation, social and physical distancing, and most importantly stay-at-home orders in accordance with the directives of the World Health Organization (WHO). Important component of a nation-building such as economy, social fabric, political development, rule of law and rights and more noticeable aspects were severely impacted by the lockdown. Global poverty and inequality increased substantially as a result the phenomena. The Covid-19 lockdowns had disrupted conventional schooling with nationwide school and higher education institutions closures. In Malaysia, the government, particularly Malaysian National Security Council and Ministry of Health, imposed specific rules and restrictions. These regulations included the prohibition of school assemblies, sports and any face-to-face curricular activities, and schools remained closed until further notice. Subsequently, the lockdown not only had affected the students but also affected teachers and lecturers in terms of their teaching process experience. In general, the lecturers have positive perception in the implementation of online learning throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the challenges inevitably arose in the process of transitioning to online teaching. The three main issues concerned in the challenges of online teaching are technical difficulties, students’ collaboration and maintaining students’ attentiveness. For future research, addressing these challenges can help future studies to be pioneers in the field of future education.