Online Education during COVID-19: A Sociological Analysis of Experiences of Students of Social and Natural Sciences in Higher Education

Abstract

Online education emerged with the onset of COVID-19 when educational institutions faced a transition from face-to-face to online learning. The situation unexpectedly prolonged, and there was a need to carry out educational activities without compromising the academic calendar for so long. The study aims to identify transition faced by students while a sudden shift to online learning concerning the two major disciplines Social Sciences and Natural Sciences. Previous studies show that the online learning system was a challenge for students. Different disciplines in every university need to be dealt with according to their requirements regarding their nature and subject matter during the online learning system. The study used the deductive approach, which employed the Social Constructivist Theory of Learning to understand and cover up the needs and requirements of this online learning mode in four public universities PMAS AAUR, FJWU, QAU, IIUI of twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad. The study used a Quantitative Approach using random sampling technique. Initially, the online learning experience was challenging for students concerned with social and natural sciences but eventually online learning was adopted as a regular practice with an improved system. The results reveal that students found natural science subjects more demanding than social science subjects. Also, students and teachers related to natural sciences had to make an extra effort, especially when practical or lab work in the course was included. The study suggests that both disciplines should have a different design and course content development according to their nature and requirements. Along with that, there is a need to develop a better and more robust online learning system that could aid and facilitate in the future.