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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol.7, No.12

Publication Date: December 25, 2020

DOI:10.14738/assrj.712.8955.

Sobhana, N. P. (2020). Challenges Envisioned in Online Teaching on Outbreak of COVID -19. Advances in Social Sciences Research

Journal, 7(12) 226-235.

Challenges Envisioned in Online Teaching on Outbreak of COVID -19

Dr. Sobhana, Nandyal Panduranga

Dept. of English

Samtah University College

Jazan University, Jizan, KSA.

ABSTRACT

The outbreak of COVID -19 was unforeseen and it forced all the Saudi

universities to close the campuses and launch online teaching. This

paper focused on challenges envisioned in online teaching using

Blackboard system. Analytical and descriptive methods of quantitative

research was used to analyse and describe the challenges and

perceptions of the faculty with regard to online teaching on blackboard,

anticipating that the results would form a basis to improvise online

teaching in post corona era. The sample of the study constituted 25

faculty members of the Department of English, Samtah University

College, Jazan University. A closed and open-ended questionnaire was

used to assess the challenges of the university faculty with regard to

online teaching and online training program on blackboard. In online

teaching, the faculty require digital skills, tools, and instructional

strategies than in a conventional face-to-face classroom teaching. They

should collaborate with each other working hands-on to integrate

online teaching with instructional strategies and find effective ways to

support the success of online students. It is important to note that

students should be relieved from anxiety and ensured that they would

actively engage themselves in online learning. Summing up this

research study, the researcher has observed from the analysis of the

faculty questionnaire, that the faculty were ready to accept the change

from the conventional mode of teaching to modern day online teaching

in the post corona era, assuming that technological issues involved are

properly taken care of.

Keywords: COVID – 19, Online teaching, Online learning.

INTRODUCTION

COVID -19 has disrupted the world in all major fields such as economy, industry, society, by and

large the worldwide educational system (Nidhal Guessoum, 2020). According to UNESCO, over 180

countries have implemented nationwide closure of schools and universities. This had an impact on

1.5 billion students including primary, secondary, and tertiary education, who have not attended

their schools physically. So, it was on the outbreak of the COVID-19, that the universities closed the

campuses and initiated online instruction. Needless to say, this unexpected reposition from face-to- face interaction to online teaching posed a challenge to all teachers and students. But all the teachers

at all levels around the world jointly and severally rose to the demanding situation of the pandemic

and quickly adapted to the critical necessity of the students’ requirements which is commendable.

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URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.712.8955 227

Sobhana, N. P. (2020). Challenges Envisioned in Online Teaching on Outbreak of COVID -19. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(12) 226-235.

This is a new journey to which teachers should equip and transform their abilities to the demands

of the post corona era. This pandemic has forced teachers to a new mind set, where the teachers

now think to teach online. The conventional teaching methods are kept at bay for the time being as

the pandemic continues. It is imperative to improve online teaching and learning environment to

support the students in an efficient manner. Consequently, the teachers should assess and upgrade

their digital skills, raise pedagogic standard, create a repository of content, ensure student

engagement and communication with the students (Vidisha Vyas, 2020). It is pertinent to say that

Internet has significantly changed the communication system with one another, and it is dire

necessity for everyone to keep abreast with the latest developments.

Basically, online teaching is a formal educational process in which one will be teaching with internet

technology.

The online teaching:

• allows flexibility of time and location for both teachers and students

• provides opportunities to access and share information

• enhances student learning experience by providing opportunities for inter-disciplinary,

inter-cultural, and/or cross-campus collaborations

• develops digital literacy skills required in contemporary society and workplace

environments.

Currently, the Blackboard platform is one of the effective educational systems used globally and in

Saudi Universities in specific, which helps blended learning. Blackboard is a Web-based course- management system designed to allow students and faculty to participate in classes delivered

online or use online materials and activities to complement face-to-face teaching. The Blackboard

system is a Learning information management system which does follow-up of students and

monitor the efficiency of the educational process in the educational institution (Subject-Based

System).

The system enables great opportunities for students to communicate with the course outside the

class, anywhere and at any time through this electronic system which provides a variety of tools to

view the content, scientific material for the courses and interact with them in easy ways, as well as

communicate with the instructor and other students enrolled in the same course with a variety of

electronic means. It consists of tools and methods, which allows faculty members to build dynamic

and interactive courses very easily with this content management courses in a flexible way, to do

everyday tasks of the educational process effectively. The system allows instructor to build

integrated electronic courses, put notes, outline of the content, tasks, and announcements. It also

helps to view midterm exams, final exams, and results. The system facilitates direct communication

with students through the windows of dialogue and targeted e-mails. It could be linked with other

e-learning systems and allows students and instructors to interact with the systems in an integrated

manner (Hanan Ahmed, 2014).

PURPOSE

Evidently, all the universities in KSA and Jazan university in particular, have shifted to online

teaching modality from March 2020 (ever since the outbreak of COVID-19). The information