STUDENTS PERCEPTION REGARDING ONLINE AND ON-CAMPUS CLASSES DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK: A THEMATIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

The current research work intended to discover college and university pupils’ perception regarding online and on-campus classes in Pakistan during Covid-19 outbreak. Qualitative research approach was employed which encompassed virtual online interviews and group debates with the assistance of an interview guide comprising of fifteen open-ended questions. Overall, 100 students were engaged in ten focus group discussion using a maximum variation sampling method. The thematic content analysis using Braun and Clark’s (2006) framework was conducted. The analysis generated six fundamental themes related to online and on-campus classes: (1) quality learning (2) time saving, (3) self-assessment and self-regulation, (4) sense of inaccessibility, (5) other complications faced, and (6) ideal system. In conclusion, on-campus classes were well-appreciated and considered as ideal education system by students. This signifies substantial and talented potential for the forthcoming of education system. Furthermore, in future studies the values of the on-campus learning method and consequences should be thoroughly and frequently appraised to display its usefulness.