Impacts Of E-Learning On International Student’s Performance During The Covid-19Pandemic

The research explored the impact of e-learning on international student’s performance in China during the Covid-19 pandemic,a case study of Zhejiang Gongshang University.There has been increasing reports of worrying concerns on the sole dependence on online learning in universities world over including Zhejiang Gongshang University as a replacement of conventional face-to-face learning during Covid-19 pandemic environment as it posits challenges in teaching pedagogy and subsequently affects students’ performance.Furthermore,several studies have indicated that the lack of closed interaction between instructors and students as well as between students themselves can subsequently hinder whole person development and subsequently their performance.The Covid-19 pandemic outbreak has forced online teaching and learning to be the primary instruction format in higher education globally.One of the worrying concerns about online learning is whether this method is effective,specifically when compared to face-to-face classes.The study objectives were to determine forms of e-learning tools currently being used by international students at Zhejiang Gongshang University,to establish the impact of e-learning on the international student’s performance,to assess the common problems associated with online learning for international students during the lockdown and to establish ways of improving student’s performance through e-learning tools.The study used the descriptive research design.The Achievement goal theory(AGT)and Online Collaborative Learning(OCL)theory informed the study.Chapter three covered the methodology.Data collection was done through use of structured questionnaires and a sample size of 121(n=121)respondents was used obtained by simple random sampling method.Data was analyzed using inferential,descriptive statistics.The research outcomes revealed that to a very great extent We Chat and Ding Talk are some of the forms of e-learning tools currently being used by international students at Zhejiang Gongshang University.The study findings indicated that there was a positive and statistically significant relationship between e-learning and international student’s performance and also revealed that there was a positive and statistically significant relationship between elements of online learning(web-based training,p=0.009<0.05;e-learning systems,p=0.018<0.05;Learning Management Systems,p=0.004<0.05)and development of 21 st century skills.The study revealed that to a great extent time conflict,distractions from surroundings,eye-fatigue due to long-time staring at the screen,lack of interactions and technical problems while learning online were some of the common challenges associated with online learning.It further indicated that to a very greater extent adopting flexible lesson plans,implementing virtual reality and enhancement on the interaction between students and teachers were some of the ways of improving student’s performance through e-learning tools at Zhejiang Gongshang University.The study recommended that Zhejiang Gongshang University should continue utilizing e-learning tools and also use diversified tools or platforms in order to capitalize on their different services and it should engage in training faculty members.Creating high-tech technologies without adequately training or providing technical support to faculty members is likely not to produce any results.