CONCLUSION

Every other day is unpredictable, and no one would have predicted a

pandemic. The outbreak of Covid-19 has brought the entire planet to a
standstill. It has resulted in universities shut all across the world. As a
result, education has undergone significant transformations, with the
emergence of e-learning, in which instruction is delivered via digital
platforms. With the abrupt move away from traditional classrooms in many
parts of the world, some are wondering if the acceptance of online learning
will continue to grow after the pandemic. Even in the era of pandemics,
learning has become unstoppable due to digital classrooms. Students can
attend both live and recorded classes from the comfort of their own homes.
They are to gather together and perform their normal classes while
maintaining a safer distance. It also brings students and teachers closer than
ever before to technology. This could be extremely beneficial in the coming
digitized years. However, there are obstacles to overcome. Some students
struggle to locate stable internet connectivity and technology. This disparity
can be noticed in all countries.
There are numerous constraints involved with e-learning. According to the
survey results, students are having a variety of issues when participating in
the digitized classroom. Internet access and health difficulties are the most
significant among them. As a result of digitization, the concept of digital
divide is evolving to a new level, while existing social stratifications are
getting much stronger. The goal of education is to empower individuals to
improve the world in which they live. Technology has become a necessity
in today's world. It's difficult to envision higher education without the usage
of digital tools, which have supplied a wealth of educational and academic
knowledge. It's also important to remember that it shouldn't promote power
and inequality patterns. It should not create a digital divide between the
wealthy and the less fortunate. Due to India's diverse socioeconomic
situations, we cannot assume all essential resources to be available in a
country like India. Online learning can be the ideal way of education if it is
accessible to all portions of society; nevertheless, it can be a threat if certain
elements of society are unable to access it, resulting in isolation. As a result,
it is critical to recognize the importance of online education and to develop
treatments that prioritize increased inclusion, connectedness, and
equitability.
To mitigate the impact of Covid-19, most governments first agreed to
temporarily close campuses. It was later reopened for a few grades, which
resulted in a rise in infection rates, before being closed again. Despite the
fact that institutions are closed, students are still able to attend lessons via
other educational initiatives such as online classrooms and radio programs.
On the other hand, while this is a good thing, many students who do not
have the financial means to attend online classes suffer greatly. Many
students are having difficulty obtaining the necessary equipment for online
education. Lecturers who are professionals in Blackboard, Chalk, Books,
and classroom teaching are new to digital teaching, but they are quickly
adapting and handling it like a pro to help students in their current
situation.Technology facilitates education by allowing students and
professors to connect remotely via online classrooms, webinars, and digital
assessments, among other things. However, the sad reality is that it is not
available to many children across the country.
The government of Kerala has implemented a number of plans and policies
to promote e- learning programs. Students were kept interested in their
instruction by using television, radio, and digital media. It was available to
the majority of pupils, but not all. The biggest challenges are internet
connectivity and health issues, but students are also dealing with increased
stress and anxiety. When it comes to the effectiveness of these initiatives,
we can only state that they are beneficial to a limited extent. Students are
still unsure of what they studied in their online classroom and are becoming
increasingly concerned about their future. Students claim that their teachers
are unable to assist them in the same way that they used to in regular
classes. Another issue they encounter is taking tests with just half-
remembered material. Government action plans were successful, but they
lacked clout. They may be able to assist a smaller group of pupils, but they
will also leave a bigger number of students behind. Authorities must be
more accountable and sensitive to this broader group, providing them with a
variety of ways to participate in e-learning.

Findings

Every coin has two sides, and online education during a pandemic provides
a new educational technique while combatting the epidemic on the other
side. We've seen and continue to see the pandemic's impact on students'
schooling. As a result, the fact that education is available online to some
level has enabled us to advance our education without having to interact
with anyone else at home.
Online learning allows students to keep a safer distance and continue their
education from the comfort of their own homes thanks to digital platforms.
It also assists them (students and teachers) in connecting with one another
and learning about the technological aspects of education. Students had
become more self-aware as a result of their digital learning, and their time
management skills had improved. This will assist students in being
successful managers in both their academic and personal lives. Students are
able to complete their household tasks while taking part in a new learning
experience from the comfort of their own homes. Unlike traditional
classrooms, digital learning gives students with both live and recorded
classes, which they can refer to later if they have any questions or
confusions. Students now have access to a variety of learning tools thanks
to the emergence of e-learning, which aids in the acquisition of
comprehensive knowledge.
Digital learning provides a flexible and diverse learning style that is
available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is evident from the
observations that the government is developing a number of programs to
assist with e-learning. The pandemic had provided the administration with
an opportunity to refocus and restructure the existing educational system. In
the coming years, the current digitalized era, of which online learning is a
part, will aid in the creation of a digitized student civilization. Apart from
the favorable aspects, the studies revealed plenty of drawbacks linked with
the e-learning system for students seeking higher education. One of its
major and most important drawback is that not every student is able to
participate in e- learning. This is evidence of unequal educational
distribution among students. The online class sessions are much more
ineffective and non-interactive than the traditional one. Hence it extensively
affects the students-teacher communication and clarification of ambiguity.
It is also found that both the pupils and professors have to deal with a lack
of technical knowledge while conducting their online class sessions.
Students have place in a situation where they must manage their studies
from the comfort of their own homes as a result of online learning. Many of
the students were lacking in self-motivation and dedication as a result of
this. Another big issue that students encounter is the unpredictability of
internet services. Many of them are unable to obtain adequate internet
connections, which has a negative impact on their e-learning. For them,
internet connectivity must be improved. The data revealed that online
learning did not encourage pupils to develop their creative abilities. The
digital classrooms provide them with relatively limited learning
opportunities. Students are unable to discover and shape their creative side,
which is critical in determining their future routes. Students are also
struggling with a number of physical and emotional issues as a result of the
epidemic and e-learning. Students are also struggling with a number of
physical and emotional issues as a result of the epidemic and e-learning.
It is critical for a student to be physically and mentally fit in order to be
productive. Students must deal with additional stress from both the body
and the mind as a result of e-learning. Students face a multitude of
challenges as a result of digitized learning, and the digital divide in our
society is increasing at an alarming rate. This problem must be identified
and adequately addressed for the benefit of all. An online classroom has a
peculiar personality. Students cannot critically study their themes in a brief
class session that lasts no more than an hour. This has a significant impact
on their degree of comprehension. When it comes to government programs,
it is quite clear that they do not benefit everyone equally. Only a small
percentage of the population has access to them, resulting in inequity and
unfairness for others who are less fortunate. As part of the e-learning
process, students may develop an inferior- superior feeling. Online learning
is a blessing for people who are able to attend class every day without being
interrupted. While some students are unable to obtain the required internet
facility or even a device to participate in e-learning, others are.
Person to person relationships are becoming digitized as a result of the
pandemic creating widespread fear among the public and the current policy
of social separation. This helps to sustain relationships to some extent, but it
limits a person's ability to speak. Students, for example, have extremely few
or no interactions with their classmates or teachers. In the e- learning era, a
WhatsApp generation is forming. Students frequently express a desire to
return to their regular classrooms, where they can have a complete learning
experience. For those students who are having financial difficulties,
obtaining a digital citizenship is difficult, and they are still fighting to be a
part of it. As we all know, students are a microcosm of a society rife with
many forms of abnormalities, each student will encounter his or her own set
of challenges when accessing online learning. Another source of concern
for a student's character development is the lack of a "campus
environment." Being a virtual participant in an online classroom is vastly
different from being a real-time participant in a classroom that includes a
variety of life-changing experiences.
The absence of a real-time classroom has a profound impact on pupils'
thoughts. In this circumstance, the parents' role becomes crucial. It is only
feasible to create a healthy environment at home for studying and staying
motivated when parents participate in the e- learning process. It is
undeniable that parental support is a critical component of computerized
learning. Exams are another difficulty that students confront. It is a
tremendous challenge for pupils to attend their examinations with half-
learned portions and doubts still in their brains. Students are worried about
their academic destiny as well. They frequently express concerns about
their future educational and employment prospects. This demonstrates that
online learning is insufficient and unproductive for them. Since every
industry is becoming more digitized, students are becoming increasingly
attached to technology and a computerized lifestyle. As part of e-learning,
screen addiction is becoming more entrenched. As part of digitized
learning, they must also deal with solitude. Less exposure to the outside
world can contribute to sadness and anxiety among kids. This will have a
negative impact on their mental health. We've seen both the positive and
negative aspects of e-learning. To change the current condition, it is critical
to focus more on the negative aspects than the favorable ones. Online
learning should be made more widely available and accessible to all
students. For this reason, government response plans must be more active.
Students must be kept motivated to complete their studies by ensuring equal
and fair participation.
This is something that both parents and teachers can help with. Students'
health and mental difficulties must be prioritized and addressed. Students
must be entertained while also being encouraged to develop their
inventiveness. To deal with addiction issues, the e-learning system must
also include physical activities and health-related orientation sessions. The
epidemic might linger for years, and with digitized learning being the only
method to continue schooling, its flaws must be addressed on a regular
basis.

Suggestions

Based on research and analysis on the impact of Covid-19 on higher

education in Kerala. Digital learning had put the education system in a
precarious position. Since online learning is an unavoidable element of
today's educational system, its disadvantages must be addressed. No student
should be denied the opportunity to participate in the digital classroom.
Given the vast range of issues involved with the e-learning process, as well
as the observations and experiences gained from the survey and the
opinions of students, it seems appropriate to offer some recommendations
that would aid in raising the level of e-learning. The first step could be to
try to bring all of the pupils under one roof. For a collaborative learning
process, all students must have equitable access to instructional resources.
The authorities must take steps to understand and address the issues that
students encounter. For pupils to stay engaged and motivated, several
relaxing and self-motivating sessions can be scheduled. A body of authority
can be established at the grassroots level to monitor the availability of
technology and learning patterns. It will be beneficial to ensure and oversee
e-learning in rural and socioeconomically underserved areas.
For the effective operation of online classrooms, one of the primary
improvements that must be done is in the relationship between students and
teachers. Students must be free and open- minded during their online class
sessions in order to get answers to their questions. In addition, a thorough
assessment of the student's learning level should be carried out. Each
institution must take a step in the right direction. It is critical to assess
students' learning levels through online learning so that changes can be
made. To make online learning moreaffordable to students, new subsidized
loans for students should be introduced. For the goal of digitized learning,
high-quality gadgets must be made available at a cheaper cost. A
goodinternet connection is another key component. Every student wishes
for a more affordable and faster internet connection. As a result, it must also
be upgraded. Teachers must also ensure that students understand and revise
the elements of the lesson delivered via online classrooms.Live classes may
not be as beneficial as recorded classes. Students can watch them again
andtake notes on what they learned. Doubts can also be dispelled. Morning
classes are significantly better than afternoon classes. Students must be
provided sufficient time to rest and focus on personal or creative projects.
The digital divide is a developing social issue that must be identified and
effectively healed. The number of hours spent learning can be drastically
decreased. Longer lesson periods delivered via a digital device can be more
stressful than in a traditional classroom. Students are unable to cope with
this and frequently face health problems. Teachers should support pupils'
creative abilities and create ways to promote them. Exams should not be the
focus of online learning. It must place a greater emphasis on the learning
process. A well-organized curriculum with a comprehensive syllabus should
be created for this. The authorities must be more sympathetic to the needs
ofkids who cannot afford this digital education.

Limitations

The response of the students were not much genuine and some where it
found various contradictions in the analysis. Some students were unwilling
to express their true feelings. Another significant limitation is the lack of
seriousness among students at the time of the survey. Since many students
are unaware of the existence of the digital divide in society, study becomes
more difficult. Some students responses may also vary because socio-
economic background,location, and access to resources are different. Some
students are more motivated to give their responses while others are not at
all motivated to actively participate in the survey.

Scope For Further Study

The entire region is stagnant due to the epidemic of covid, mainly the
higher education sector. The rapid transition from the traditional classroom
to the new world of online class raises a lot of doubts among under
graduate’s students. Because their future depends on it. So further studies
are good for making the students, parents, authorities aware of the
seriousness of the pandemic in the field of higher education and the future
of students and limit the problem of digital divide as a certain
extent.Research can explore the effectiveness of hybrid learning approaches
that combine in person and online education, considering factors like
student engagement, learning outcomes and teacher support. Studies in the
disparities in access to higher education during the pandemic and examing
stratedies can promote equity and inclusion for marginalized and
undereserved student populations.Researching the psychological impact of
the pandemic on students and educators, identifying effective support
systems, and understanding how mental health affects learning outcomes.
As the effects of COVID-19 pandemic continue to unfold,research in these
areas can provide valuable insights to shape the future of higher education
and inform strategies for building more resilient, inclusive and effective
learning environments.