Impact analysis on students’ online learning in Higher Education Institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of numerous educational institutions, such as schools and universities, as part of the containment measures. Consequently, the traditional mode of in-person teaching shifted to online distance learning to mitigate the spread of infections while ensuring the continuity of education. However, concerns have arisen regarding the effectiveness of online learning and its implications for key stakeholders in education, specifically students and educators. This research aims to analyze the impact of online learning on students at the National Defense University of Malaysia (NDUM) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data gathered from students via a closed and open-ended questionnaires underwent meticulous respondent selection employing random sampling methods. A total of 445 student responses were acquired for analysis. Descriptive analysis and multivariate exploratory statistical analyses of the data were performed using the statistical software, SPSS. The descriptive analysis assessed student learning and expectations on online learning, meanwhile the multivariate exploratory data analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to examine how online learning affects students’ learning experiences. The findings indicated that students faced challenges during the lockdown related to technical difficulties, time management, limited social interactions, and issues associated with their home environment. Conversely, students displayed a strong inclination toward acquiring new technological skills and expressed a preference for reviewing recorded lectures and class materials. These insights into the impacts of online learning on students are particularly significant in light of technological advancements in education, not only within Malaysia but also in other countries worldwide.