Report on "Comparative study of student life: before and after
the start of the pandemic."
Submitted To :
Farhana Sultana (Fns)
Lecturer, Department of Political Science and Sociology
North South University.
Submitted by :
Name: Md. Mushfiqur Rahman Mahin
ID:
2014299642
Dept:
ECE (major in CSE)
Course: SOC 101; Section: 21.
Submission Date: 07 May; 2021
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………..3
Hypothesis…………………………………………………………………………………...3
Methodology………………………………………………………………………………....4
Discussion and Analysis…………………………………………………………………….5
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………...6
3
INTRODUCTION
Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered virus called
coronavirus. It is affecting the whole world and hamper our daily lives. While scientists
are researching to find its vaccine, coronavirus changes to a new variant and becomes
more dangerous. It already spread its thirds wave, which takes so many lives and still
taking. To remain safe and less infected Government gave a lockdown several times. In
contrast, they opened Offices, transport, market but did not open educational institutions.
Students have been in lockdown for the last 16 months. In a lockdown, they are doing
almost every work from home online. The study is no different from that. Many schools,
colleges, universities started online classes. But, institutions which are in a rural area did
not become aware of it. The study had stopped there since the lockdown. While here,
some students are going ahead with their studies, and the rest are lagging behind.
1. Hypothesis:
Everything was fine before this pandemic. Students used to go to classes. The teacher
gave lectures, asked questions, took exams. This pattern of the study was efficient.
Students used to go to their institute with full of excitement. They wanted to study as well
as pass good times with their friends. They can go to their teacher to clear some
confusion regarding the lecture. This face-to-face teaching method is more effective.
Students used to gossip with their friends, play after class, discuss study topics or
projects.
There are also some lab classes for science students where students learn and do
practically. This can help them in their workplace.
For lockdown, their regular classes stopped. Their education got hampered because of
Covid-19. Now, students are doing online classes. Students can continue their studies
from home. They don’t have to wait for opening institutions. Not an only class, but they
also can give exams. This process helps them to complete their studies and keep away
from year loss.
4
Methodology:
3.1. Study Design:
In this “Comparative study of student life: before and after the start of the
pandemic” study, the majority of the study based on my personal experience and the rest
is from a secondary source. This includes online resources. I took some help from online
based articles, newspapers to do my research. These are:
(https://www.thedailystar.net/online/news/online-education-bangladesh-perspectivechallenges-and-way-forward-1937625; https://www.nature.com/articles/s41928-020-00534-0;
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/hub/keystone-academic-solutions/p/adaptabilityface-pandemic-how-students-and-universities-have)
3.2. Data Compilation:
Since the research has been completed from my experience in keeping with
reality, this study covers from May 2020 to the present.
5
Discussion and Analysis
Here are some sites that will be pointed out students struggle and the outcomes of
online classes.
a) Adaptability Struggle: Students are struggling with switching from traditional
classroom and face-to-face teaching to online classroom. An online classroom is
totally different from a regular traditional class. Where passive listening and notes
taking are expected in a traditional classroom, online discussions or creating a web
page demand springing into action. Students with a “traditional” mindset find it
challenging to adapt; however, they need to accept the modern learning circumstances
with an open mind and heart. Understanding the benefits of eLearning and even
discussing them with their peers may change this mentality and better prepare
students for online classes.
b) Technical Issue: Many students are not provided with uninterrupted electricity and
high bandwidth or internet connection. It is essential for online classes. Many
students lived in campus hall, hostel or mess when their institutions were open. They
are from rural areas where electricity and internet connection can hardly be found.
Without uninterrupted internet and electricity, they can not do online classes. It will
be very difficult for them to understand class lectures. Some of the students do not
have the affordability to buy smartphones, laptops, or computers. Without these
devices, they can not join online classrooms. To solve devices problems, Government
can reduce the price of smartphones, laptops for students. Phone and laptop
companies can also give a discount for students. Government can give electricity to
every house in those rural areas. They can order power suppliers to stop load
shedding in the daytime so that every student can join their class and learn clearly. In
rural areas, there is no internet bandwidth connection. Mobile internet is a great
solution for this problem. Government can order mobile phone operators to reduce
internet prices for students.
c) Device Literacy: Although students are generally tech sharp and thus able to manage
computers well, lack of computer education may be a major issue among students
nowadays. Many of them cannot operate essential programs such as Microsoft Word,
Excel, and PowerPoint and so are not able to handle their records. It is also essential
for the teachers to have knowledge about devices. Some teachers can not use their
devices. It is not their fault. They are not used to this kind of system. It will be
difficult for students to learn a topic or lecture properly if they do not know how to
use the device. So to solve this problem, the teacher and student can get training
about using devices to teach students. There are many short training courses where
they can learn these things.
6
d) Time Management: Time management is a difficult task for students during online
classes. As it is not a physical class, students can not learn appropriately like the
traditional class quickly. So, students are taking twice the time to understand a
particular time than before. In online exams, students have to complete a quiz, test in
a given time. In offline exams, students only wrote down on paper and gave the copy
to the invigilator. But, online exam is a long process. After writing, they take the
pictures and make a pdf. Many students have poor networks and slow devices. So,
they can not submit their copy in their respective time. Some teachers understand this
problem, and they considered taking their copy. But some are not, which affects
students mentally. The teacher can give extra time to students for taking pictures,
making pdf and submitting copies.
e) Student’s health issue: Many students are having mental and physical health issues
during online classes. Online class increases anxiety and stress. Watching the screen
monitor for a long time without rest can harm their eyes. It can also cause back pain
or muscle pain. Also, there are quizzes, assignments with online classes, which are
putting heavy pressure on students. Some students get traumatized by doing online
classes. Teachers can give a short lecture and less pressure on the students so that
students can do online classes with joy. They can decrease the duration of the class,
reduce quizzes, assignments. Parents can help their children to get away from mental
trauma. Teachers also can start counseling the students who are getting traumatized.
Conclusion
Covid 19 is a dangerous disease and its impact on various sectors as well as
education. So, the Ministry of Education in Bangladesh started to initiate different plans
and policies like taking classes through SANGSAD TV for primary students. Teachers
have also conducted online classes through Zoom, Google Meet, Google Classroom, a
recorded class for secondary, higher secondary, and university students. But at first, it
was difficult to ensure maximum attendance and conduct quality class presentations
because most of the students, as well as teachers, were not well known about the online
class concept. But, now, most of the students are joining online classes.
Many private educational institutes were unable to bear their monthly expenses since all
classes were postponed with no fees during the lockdown. The UGC considered the poor
students and gave them soft loans for buying the digital devices for online class purposes.
They have also shortened the school syllabus and given the auto pass to HSC students.