Teaching and Learning in the New Normal: Opportunities and Challenges of Distance Learning Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

14 Pages Posted: 16 Jan 2021

See all articles by Caroline Gurajena

Caroline Gurajena

University of Eswatini - Department of Computer Science

Elliot Mbunge

University of Swaziland

Stephen Fashoto

University of Eswatini - Department of Computer Science

Date Written: January 13, 2021

Abstract

To continue with teaching and learning during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, most tertiary institutions have adopted distance learning. The adoption of distance learning is not without its limitations and challenges which includes limited network coverage and lack of gadgets among the students. Due to the COVID-19, we perceived the need to analyse the opportunities and pitfalls of distance education in Africa. This paper reviews the opportunities and pitfalls of integrating emerging technologies for distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking into consideration the categories and the barriers; the challenges faced by tertiary institutions can be categorized to include technological challenges, pedagogical challenges and social challenges. Also, distance education encourages student-centred learning and self-learning. It offers a lot of opportunities to tertiary institutions which includes scalability, research innovations, flexible learning, diversity, remote students support, adjustment of assessment methods, innovation opportunity, offer non-academic courses, change of pedagogical policies.

Keywords: Distance Learning, COVID-19 pandemic, Teaching, Learning

Suggested Citation

Gurajena, Caroline and Mbunge, Elliot and Fashoto, Stephen G, Teaching and Learning in the New Normal: Opportunities and Challenges of Distance Learning Amid COVID-19 Pandemic (January 13, 2021). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3765509 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3765509

Caroline Gurajena

University of Eswatini - Department of Computer Science ( email )

Swaziland

Elliot Mbunge (Contact Author)

University of Swaziland ( email )

Private Bag 4
Kwaluseni, Swaziland
Swaziland
78246653 (Phone)
m201 (Fax)

Stephen G Fashoto

University of Eswatini - Department of Computer Science ( email )

Swaziland

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