The implementation of ODL amidst COVID-19 pandemic: students’ challenges and emotional wellbeing / Nowyannie Willie D. Tamsin … [et al.]

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, universities’ main mode of teaching have transitioned from conventional face-to-face learning to Open Distance Learning (ODL). This sudden shift to online learning has posed a myriad of challenges to students such as individual related challenges, technical challenges and learning experience related challenges. Those who are enrolled in a high-demand ODL programme may be confronted with the additional challenge of balancing work, family, and studies. The current study aims to investigate the association between challenges faced by ODL learners and their emotional wellbeing. Using stratified sampling, 133 distance learning students were randomly selected from all faculties as study samples. A questionnaire was designed and distributed through an online survey. Findings from the study suggest that out of the three ODL challenges, individual-related challenges had the highest impact on students' emotional wellbeing during ODL. These findings are beneficial to the respective stakeholders, such as the top management, coordinators and counselors. With such information, various initiatives, measures, or policies could be introduced to improve the status quo (ODL) as well as to address emotional wellbeing issues delicately.