EVALUATING THE EXPERIENCE OF USING E-LEARNING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF JORDAN DURING THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC COVID-19

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the e-learning experience at the University of Jordan during the COVID-19 pandemic and the obstacles to its use. To achieve that, two 5-Likert scales were constructed; the first one to examine the level of students’ satisfaction with e-learning, and the second one to diagnose the obstacles they faced during their e-learning experience. The study sample consisted of 566 male and female students who responded to the study tools after 8 months of e-learning experience in 2019–2020. Results show that, in general, students’ satisfaction was moderate. As for the levels of satisfaction with each of the teacher's performance, technology, and assignments, it was found that satisfaction was medium regarding the teacher's performance and low regarding both technology and assignments. A 3-way ANOVA indicated that there are significant differences in students’ satisfaction with e-learning due to academic level, in favor of graduate students. The results further show that the obstacles encountered in the experimentation process were high. The obstacles related to technology are higher than the obstacles related to students themselves, and females are more affected by the obstacles compared to males.

This study recommends working to improve and develop the e-learning experience in universities in terms of training teachers to deal with platforms, methods, content, and exams; following up on students, communicating with them; and facilitating their access to the necessary equipment for e-learning.