University students at home are missing face-to-face learning and social interaction. Pic source: freepik.com
University students at home are missing face-to-face learning and social interaction. Pic source: freepik.com

The Higher Education Ministry recently announced that all teaching and learning programmes in universities will be conducted online until the end of the year, with exceptions given to five categories of students.

While continuing their education at home, students cannot help but miss face-to-face learning and the campus experience.

For Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam student Omar Mokhtar Azizul, 21, the Covid-19 crisis has made him yearn for everyday moments most tertiary students take for granted.

The diploma in music student is missing the campus atmosphere he left three months ago.

"I miss learning face-to-face with my lecturers since some of our subjects are practical and require hands-on learning. I miss going to the library with my close friends, where we would share snacks while studying together in the library.

"What I miss the most would be hands-on classes especially when it comes to my major instrument, an electric bass guitar. Practical classes are my favourite! Learning musical instruments online is not as fun as when we are physically together in the soundproof studio classroom."

Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam music student Omar Mokhtar Azizul continues his online lessons at home.
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam music student Omar Mokhtar Azizul continues his online lessons at home.

At the same time, Omar Mokhtar knows that online learning is the only way to complete the syllabus for now.

"With wifi at home, I'm thankful that I don't face any internet issues. I've gotten used to waiting for notifications on my smartphone for classes and exams on weekdays.

"I also found that a few subjects are better executed online such as Music Technology as it requires my very own Digital Audio Workstation and Entrepreneurship which is a university required course.

"But I don't think online classes can totally replicate traditional classes which are much more fun and immersive because we are actually there with our friends and lecturers," he said.

Pursuing Actuarial Studies at Sunway University Ahalya Sukumaran, 22 longs for the human interaction that only a face-to-face environment can bring.

"I prefer studying in the library or having group studies with my friend on campus rather than learning at home. I miss studying on campus in general."

Initially, Ahalya took some time to adapt to online learning.

Ahalya Sukumaran.
Ahalya Sukumaran.

"It was a very new experience for both students and lecturers. Being in the final semester, it is a little frustrating for me as our results for this virtual semester will not be included in our overall CGPA.

"Personally, this made me unmotivated, but I'm trying to stay optimistic. I appreciate the efforts that lecturers take to make online learning successful.

"I also think that we can be more open to lecturers remotely in terms of asking questions or having discussion. Virtual communication tends to break the barrier between the lecturer and students."

While online class can be more convenient as there is no need to travel to class, she found remote assessments to be troublesome.

"Conducting group assignments was challenging as we only could meet up virtually to discuss assignments. Since we are all from different places, there could be connectivity issues.

"To complete my online exams on time, I have to make sure that I have a good internet connection. One of my lecturers prefers releasing questions online and wants us to manually write the answers, then scan a copy of it to email to him. It's difficult so I prefer sitting for exams in an actual exam hall.

"Online learning cannot provide the human interactions that are present in a face- to-face environment. However, with the current pandemic, it will not be surprising to see it be implemented more," said Ahalya.

International Islamic University Malaysia student Nur Nabilah Md Zaidey, 25, was scheduled to complete her Bachelor of Law (Shariah) this month before Covid-19 disrupted her plans.

"I feel so demotivated. I initially planned to pursue my pupillage in July as I was supposed to finish my exams this month. But since our final semester has been extended, my plans had to change."

Nabilah Md Zaidey.
Nabilah Md Zaidey.

Nur Nabilah misses both the social and academic aspects of university life.

"I miss my friends and having study groups with them, especially since this is our final semester together.

"I also miss physical classroom presentations where eye contact and body language can help us get the message across. Group work is also difficult to manage online as without seeing each other, it seems as if we are working alone. I really miss working with my group members in person."

She has encountered several issues that disrupted her learning process at home.

"I've faced issues during lessons on video conferencing platforms such as failing to screen-share or audio problems where I can't hear what the lecturer is saying. We use Zoom which has a time limit for a single session and this makes it hard for students to ask questions.

"At home, I also shoulder other responsibilities as the eldest. I need to cook for my younger siblings and do household chores."

There is a need for her to refer to physical scriptures, not just online sources, said Nur Nabilah whose academic courses are offered in Arabic.

"Not all Shariah (Islamic law) scriptures are available in digital form, so it is hard for students to find sources of reference. If we're back in university, we can access the materials at the library.

"Our exams are also being replaced with open book tests and quizzes. I'm still in the dark about the format and marking system of the assessments. Regardless, I need to keep motivating myself to finish my studies so that I can make my parents proud."