Evaluation of students’ attitude toward distance learning during the pandemic (Covid-19): a case study of ELTE university

Purpose Covid-19 has prompted higher institutions around the globe to relocate traditional classes to online classes. Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) was no exception. It had already drawn up limited strategies regarding distance education, but those Web-based platforms were provided only to students with special needs. Due to the pandemic, all ELTE students were compelled to use online platforms that the university provided, such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, to resume their studies. This study aims to evaluate the initial experience of students in using these new platforms. It also explores the effects distance learning has on students’ satisfaction and attitudes toward their education. Design/methodology/approach By using a quantitative approach, students’ attitudes toward e-learning and their access to tech-platforms, use of those platforms and satisfaction with online courses are processed and analyzed via a statistical package for the social sciences. Findings The results of this study show that distance learning is still in the development stage, and although traditional classrooms appeared to be indispensable, the positive attitudes and willingness of the majority of students to engage in distance learning classes in the post-COVID19 pandemic indicate that there is an immense potential future for e-learning platforms in higher education institutions. Originality/value The distance learning approach has been the only way for institutions worldwide to resume studies during the pandemic of Covid-19. Students faced mixed feelings of perplexity, loneliness, uncertainty over what is going to happen with classes, exams, graduation and other significant activities impacting their study path; irrespective of their daily struggles with the hard accessibility to means of e-learning and personal potential health problems. This evaluation is considered as a roadmap for institutions to follow-up and to improve the organizational and educational shortcomings they met.