The Effectiveness of Online Class: A study of

Present Context Regarding Covid-19

Israt Hossain Iza
Course Instructor: Irtisam Ahmed
Department of Computer Science Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
American International University-Bangladesh.
Izaisrat98@gmail.com

Abstract— Distance learning or online class is nowadays
a hot topic around the world. Situations like an
emergency, when common people aren’t allowed to go
outside. The world, as well as Bangladesh, is facing a
serious crisis for COVID-19 since December, last year.
As the situation continues till now, there is no alternative
for the educational institutions but to take classes
through online or implement the ‘Distance learning’
concept which has already begun by the private
universities of Bangladesh. The Govt. also starts distance
learning for the secondary school level with the help of
television channel which has already proved a better
alternative of the physical classroom. Moreover, distance
learning may be a concept for changing the future
education system in Bangladesh as we have to waste
much time in attending and come back home from
universities or other educational institutions.
Keywords—Online learning equipment, distance
learning, technologies, alternative.
university as well as school or college level is a must.
In Bangladesh, it is not possible to take online classes
regularly as we don’t have enough facilities regarding
online classes equipment like P2P video & audio
devices, digital pen & board, high-speed optical
internet connection etc. Online learning environments
are hugely diverse in size, capabilities and services
offered, and can cater for individuals ranging in
attainment is not limited to web pages with text, but it
includes audio, video, interactivity, games and
technologies like video conferencing and live
broadcasting, which has made communication more
flexible, comprehensive and dynamic. In terms of
academic results, Online learning equipment (OLE)
can represent a more successful learning environment
and have proven to be motivating contexts for
learning. The future of OLE has many innovative and
exciting possibilities [1].

I. INTRODUCTION
The physical “brick and mortar” classroom is starting
to lose its monopoly as the place of learning. The
Internet and the World Wide Web have made
significant changes to almost all aspects of our lives
ranging from a global economy, personal, and
professional networks to sources of information, news,
and learning. The Internet has made online learning
possible, and many researchers and educators are
interested in online learning to enhance and improve
student learning outcomes while combating the
reduction in resources, particularly in higher education
(Fraxinella, Hobbs, & Weeks, 2000; Kim &
Bonk,2006; Pape, 2010). Moreover, there have also
been increases in demand for online learning from
students from all walks of life. There may be some
questions about the effectiveness of taking class in
online, but in a situation like ‘lockdown’ or ‘Home
quarantine’ or emergency for more than one to three
or even more months, it is quite impossible to continue
taking classes physically. So, online classes at the
II. METHODOLOGY
The effectiveness of online classes should be
measured with the direct opinion from the students.
That’s why I created a google form with 10 questions
and collect data from 20 students of American
International University Bangladesh (AIUB). The
questions include is the class satisfactory, is the
learning equipment enough, how much he/ she adapt
to the changes, has he/ she able to participate properly
etc. Fig 1 shows that about 21% of student think that
online class can be implemented in Bangladesh right
now. That means that they think we have enough
facilities regarding it. Another 24% thinks they are
satisfied with recent online classes taken by AIUB.
Around 28% can actually comfortable with the E-
learning process as this is the first time experience of
them. In this manuscript, some benefits and limitations
of distance learning will be shown with real life
example from the countries conduct online classes
regularly.

1
 facilities, then online class can be a solution to many
Student's opinion of our problems like traffic jam, late for class etc.

Applicable in IV. MERITS & DE-MERITS

Bangladesh
58% 45.8% Since online class is a newly implemented concept in
Satisfied with Bangladesh, it needs some more time to be effective.
51% online class Distance learning has many advantages as discussed
60% previously, but it has some demerits also. It makes a
Participate
properly student lazy if he/ she is not attentive enough. For poor
people, it is also a burden because it needs some
Comfortable devices like a laptop or android mobile phone and a
with distance
fast internet connection. In addition to this, without the
learning
country emergency, online class will not be
Fig 1.1: Pie chart of student’s opinion of what they think implemented instead of physical classes because
about online classes. online classes isn’t an alternative to physical classes at
However, there are many measures yet to be taken by all. But it is a considerable alternative if any unwanted
the govt. to implement online classes at the situation occurred.
universities [2]. But there has already a positive impact
on the online class which is certainly a good thing. V. CONCLUSION
Every institution is running alternatively due to
III. FINDINGS coronavirus issues [4]. Online class may not be a
From the survey on some AIUB students, some permanent alternative but it opens some opportunity
significant opinion has been founded. A chart of temporarily. We have to accept the situation and try to
questions and their answer is given below in fig 3.1. In improve the effectiveness of online class by our
addition to the pie chart, I found some other’s answer collective effort. The resources should be made easy
regarding online classes. About 70% students are able access for the poor student by universities. Concerning
to actively participate during class time. The reason of authority must take necessary steps to bring up all the
30% is, they have connection problems and noise of students under online class when it will be
sound occurred [3]. The satisfactory answer found is, implemented temporarily.
about 90% of students are comfortable with online
classes. If the authority manage to provide additional REFERENCES

Answer [1] Navarro, P., & Shoemaker, J. (2015). Performance

No. Questions and perceptions of distance learners in cyberspace.
Yes No
American Journal of Distance Education, 14(2),
1 Applicable in Bangladesh 58% 42%
15–35.
Is the online class 51% 49% [2] Online Learning in Higher Education
2 satisfactory By William G. Bowen, Matthew M. Chingos, Kelly
Enough learning 63% 37% A. Lack and Thomas I. Nygren , SPRING 2013 /
3 equipment VOL. 13, NO. 2.
Adapt with the sudden 54% 46% [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_online_coll
4 changes eges_in_the_United_States [Last access 5
Participate actively during 70% 30% april,2020 ]
[4] https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-
5 class time
closings.html [Last access 5 april,2020 ]
6 Online class saves time 85% 15%
Comfortable with E- 90% 10%
7 learning opportunity
Fig 3.1: Brief chart of data taken using ‘google form’ from 20
students in AIUB.