Examining the Moderating Effect of Perceived Benefits of Maintaining Social Distance on E-learning Quality During COVID-19 Pandemic

Journal of Educational Technology Systems, DOI: 10.1177/0047239520977798, Forthcoming

23 Pages Posted: 11 Dec 2020 Last revised: 28 Dec 2020

See all articles by Charu Saxena

Charu Saxena

Chandigarh University

Hasnan Baber

Woosong University; Abu Dhabi School of Management

Pardeep Kumar

Chandigarh University - University School of Business

Date Written: December 8, 2020

Abstract

Technology has influenced every aspect of our living, and education is not an exception. During the current pandemic period of COVID-19, the latent motive of maintaining social distancing is leading to be one of the prime reasons for the students to get enrolled in online courses. Although the benefits of e-learning have been discussed in various previous studies, it is important to understand the quality of e-learning and the satisfaction level of learners during this forceful shift toward e-learning amid the pandemic of COVID-19. This research proposes a conceptual model for understanding the variables influencing e-learning quality (ELQ) and learner satisfaction under the moderating effect of maintaining social distancing. The model is empirically validated by means of the partial least square approach through structural equation modeling based on 435 responses of university students in India. The results suggest that assurance, reliability, responsiveness, and website content are the factors that influence the ELQ of the online courses during the pandemic. ELQ also strongly influences the learner’s satisfaction. Interestingly, perceived benefits of maintaining social distancing have a significant negative moderating effect only between empathy and ELQ, which leads to the satisfaction of the learners.

Keywords: e-learning, social distancing, quality, learner, satisfaction, COVID-19, pandemic

Suggested Citation

Saxena, Charu and Baber, Hasnan and Kumar, Pardeep, Examining the Moderating Effect of Perceived Benefits of Maintaining Social Distance on E-learning Quality During COVID-19 Pandemic (December 8, 2020). Journal of Educational Technology Systems, DOI: 10.1177/0047239520977798, Forthcoming , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3744581 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3744581

Charu Saxena

Chandigarh University ( email )

National Highway 95
Punjab
Mohali, IN Punjab 140413
India

Hasnan Baber (Contact Author)

Woosong University ( email )

27 Baengnyong-ro 57beon-gil
Jayang-dong, Daejeon
Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

Abu Dhabi School of Management ( email )

Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Pardeep Kumar

Chandigarh University - University School of Business

Chandigarh-Ludhiana Highway,
Mohali
India

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
47
Abstract Views
877
PlumX Metrics