Navigating the Digital Divide: Exploring Satisfaction of Students with E-Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic at a Peripheral Public University in Pakistan

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted higher education globally and triggered a rapid shift towards e-learning in higher learning institutions. The rapid shift posed significant challenges for developing countries like Pakistan, which has already been facing existing educational challenges. The purpose of this study was to examine the satisfaction of students with e-learning and to explore the challenges have been faced by students in adapting to e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a Pakistani peripheral public university context. Employing a quantitative research approach, a questionnaire was self-administered through Google Forms. 151 well-filled and completed questionnaires were used for analysis. The study’s findings suggested that students generally experienced learning at a satisfactory level and reported high satisfaction relatively with e-learning during the pandemic. However, the findings also revealed that numerous factors affected the students’ satisfaction such as the quality of e-learning materials, and teacher support, limited access to technology, poor internet connectivity, and electricity shortage. The findings of the study suggest that universities should improve their e-learning infrastructure and provide training for teachers to enhance students' satisfaction with e-learning. These measures will contribute to an enhanced e-learning experience and greater student satisfaction in similar crises in the future.