Author(s): Kalyan Kumar Sahoo, Sheetal Jaldhari, Ruchi Kushwah, Swadhin Kumar Rout and Jonathan Odame
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional classroom learning across the globe, forcing many educational institutions to shift to online learning. This study examines the experiences of university students in Ghana as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of online learning during the pandemic. Using a qualitative approach, data was collected through in-depth interviews with 20 university students from different disciplines and analyzed thematically. The findings highlight common challenges faced by participants, such as limited access to resources, unreliable internet, and inadequate institutional support. However, participants also identified opportunities and benefits of online learning, including increased flexibility and access to diverse learning resources. Socio-economic status and institutional support were identified as important factors influencing participants' experiences. The study underscores the need for policy and practice to address the challenges faced by students in online learning, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and harness the opportunities of online learning.