Impact of e-learning on engineering education during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study in the northeastern region of India

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has put the entire world in a very challenging situation, and similar to other sectors, education has also been severely affected. The teaching-learning process during that period was carried out only online. As none of the stakeholders expected such an unprecedented situation, all the institutions had to switch to an online mode with almost zero preparation, abruptly putting the entire process in a very challenging position. This survey article aims to assess the impact of e-learning on engineering education during the pandemic in the Northeastern region of India. A carefully designed questionnaire divided into six major groups was circulated among the learners. The study addresses several research questions, including the improvement of IT skills among students, the e-learning exposure level before the pandemic, and the comparison between e-learning and face-to-face learning in terms of knowledge improvement, technical skills, and social competency. Additionally, the interest level of students in attending theoretical and lab classes in online and offline modes, students’ assessment of the merits and challenges of e-learning, major obstacles faced during online learning, the overall experience of learners with e-learning during the pandemic, and students’ excitement to return to college for physical learning after COVID-19 are examined. The findings highlight the need to address technological challenges, enhance online instructional design, and consider individual preferences and needs in shaping the future of engineering education. Unreliable internet connectivity and the higher cost of internet data are identified as the two major bottlenecks of e-learning in the specified region. Proper teacher training, time-efficient schedules for online classes, and selection of the most relevant e-content are some of the most important issues to be addressed for enhancing the effectiveness of e-learning.