Perception of Students towards Emergency Online Learning during COVID 19-A study of Under Graduate/post graduate Students of Tier Two Cities in Comparison to the Tier One Cities of North India

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Published: Feb 1, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29070/dqa42q72
Keywords:
Online Learning, TAM, Student Perception, COVID- learning, technology enabled learning, E-learning, factors of e-learning, Technological acceptance model

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Authors

Ekta Rani Chauhan

Research Scholar, ICFAI University, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Dr. Shweta Jain

Director and Research Guide, ICFAI University, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a global educational disruption, forcing a sudden transition from traditional face-to-face learning to online modalities. This study explores students' perceptions toward emergency remote teaching environments (ERTE) during the pandemic, focusing on the North Indian context—comparing Delhi NCR (tier-one cities) and B-town (tier-two cities) students. Using a primary survey method, data were collected from 287 undergraduate and postgraduate students via a structured Google Form questionnaire. The study evaluates technological adaptation, ease of use, perceived utility, family environment, learning environment, and infrastructure using a five-point Likert scale. Findings reveal that while students acknowledged the utility and time-saving aspects of online learning, challenges such as reduced interpersonal interaction, network issues, distractions at home, and lack of motivation were significant. NCR students reported a relatively better learning experience than their B-town counterparts, primarily due to better infrastructure and greater teacher readiness. However, students from B-town cities showed greater technological adaptability. The study concludes that while online learning served as a vital bridge during the crisis, substantial gaps remain in ensuring equitable, engaging, and effective virtual education experiences. It emphasizes the need for strategic policy-level interventions to better integrate online learning post-pandemic, particularly in diverse socio-economic contexts like India.

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Vol. 20 No. 1 (2025): International Journal of Information Technology and Management (IJITM)

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