Struggling to Learn Online: How COVID-19 Paved the Way for Challenges in University Education

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The COVID-19 outbreak, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has resulted in significant global changes in various aspects of life, including politics, the economy, and society. In Malaysia, the outbreak prompted the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) to combat the virus. The MCO imposed restrictions on human activities and social interactions, leading to a complete transformation of the education system. Schools and universities were closed, and students faced numerous challenges. To ensure continuity in education, the Malaysian Ministry of Education swiftly adopted online teaching and learning methods called Emergency Remote Teaching. However, these new educational norms presented several obstacles, including limited technological access, socio-economic factors, digital competence, workload, and difficulties maintaining motivation. This study aims to explore these challenges and shed light on the unique circumstances created by the pandemic. Furthermore, it will delve into the emerging solutions and support systems implemented to address these issues.