Exploring the critical factors influencing the student satisfaction in online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic (With special reference to Faculty of Commerce and Management, Eastern University, Sri Lanka)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted the usual functioning of several activities across the world, including education and learning. Sri Lankan education system made a notable change to the online education system after shutting its physical classes in universities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As per the Asian Development Bank survey, approximately 90% of undergraduate students were able to attend online education in the end of September 2020. The transformation towards online education during the COVID-19 pandemic has driven numerous scholars’ attention to online learning, however, there is still a lack of studies available in Sri Lankan context. To fill the existing empirical knowledge gap this survey was conducted to examine the critical factors influencing on student’s satisfaction in online learning. The quantitative study was conducted based on primary data which were collected among 306 undergraduate students in a selected Sri Lankan State University by using an electronic questionnaire. The results of this study revealed that instructor quality, perceived usefulness and ease of use, and course delivery have a significant impact on students’ satisfaction in online learning. At the same time, interaction and technology factors do not have a significant impact on students’ satisfaction in online learning. Consequently, these research findings have provided some noteworthy contributions to educators and policymakers to identify and understand the factors which will increase student’s satisfaction in online learning