Unveiling the Satisfaction of Home-Based Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic: An In-Depth Online Interview

Online home-based learning was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that students did not fall behind in the syllabus. This qualitative phenomenological study aims to explore satisfaction with home-based learning during the pandemic. Twenty-three adolescents who had undergone home-based learning in Selangor were interviewed during online in-depth interviews from December 2021 to March 2022. A semi-structured interview guide was adapted from the literature review, and the interviews were video recorded, transcribed verbatim, and anonymized. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using a framework approach, and NVivo 12 was used to expedite coding during data analysis. Three themes emerged as determinants of satisfaction: social norms, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use. A study found that students are dissatisfied with home-based learning, struggle to adapt to it, and have difficulty complying with school SOPs. Home-based learning can become a negative experience for adolescents, especially when connectivity is unstable, which can lead to frustration and disappointment and disrupt their preferred learning methods. Boys experienced greater difficulties and were less satisfied with home-based learning than girls. Thematic analysis indicated that adolescent satisfaction was higher before the pandemic. Future researchers should consider the same studies among students from different economic backgrounds. Some limitations of the study include internet connectivity issues during the interview, environmental disturbances, and difficulty interpreting nonverbal gestures. Finally, the online teaching method should be realigned and tailored to students’ expectations to enhance learning satisfaction.