Coping with Education during Lockdowns amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The outbreak of Corona Virus disease (COVID-19) in China in December 2019 has rapidly morphed into an unprecedented health, economic and educational crisis globally. This study focuses on tertiary students’ perspectives on Emergency Remote Learning (ERT) amidst COVID-19 Pandemic. The schools in Fiji closed its doors to face-to-face classes on 20^th March, 2020 and tertiary institutes followed suit. This study was conducted to establish how tertiary students were coping with online learning at a university in Fiji. Subsequently, telephone interviews were held as it was most appropriate method at this time of lock down and social distancing amidst COVID 19 Pandemic. A meta-synthesis methodology was also adopted for this study and pertinent literature was visited to capture the essence of continued learning during these unprecedented times. Findings reveal that students were slowly adapting to online learning or E-Learning. Findings also reveal that lack of gadgets like laptops and desktops were major issues faced by the students. This is followed by lack of access to high quality internet and connectivity problems followed by lack of confidence in using online learning platforms. This exploratory paper proposes that students need to be well versed with technology and technological gadgets to enhance learning especially during these exceptional times.