From Crisis to Opportunity: A Google Trends Analysis of Global Interest in Distance Education Tools During and Post the COVID- 19 Pandemic

This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on global attention towards different distance education tools. We used Google Trend search queries as a proxy to quantify the popularity and public interest in different distance education solutions under 11 sub-segments, which include collaboration platforms, online proctoring, and resources for psychosocial support. The study employs both visual and analytical approaches to analyse global web search queries during and post the COVID-19 pandemic. Through cross-correlation analysis and dynamic time-warping analysis, the study confirms the contemporaneous and lead-lag relationships between COVID-19 and distance education-related search terms. Furthermore, the study highlights the critical role of psychosocial support in promoting the well-being of students and teachers during a pandemic. The study emphasizes the importance of Google footprint analysis in determining the most popular online education resources designed for different educational goals. This feature allows educators to gain insight into prominent distant education options, boosting their online teaching.