Online learning challenges, stress experience and coping strategies among University Students during the lockdown due to COVID- 19 Pandemic

Abstract

The study investigated the types and levels of challenges of online learning and related coping strategies among Psychology students from the University of Nairobi. The study used a descriptive survey design. The sample consisted of 80 male and 70 female students from a population of students registered in online psychology classes in the Faculty of Arts, University of Nairobi. They were selected using purposive sampling procedure. This represented 90 percent response rate. The research tool was a questionnaire consisting of items derived from a preliminary survey carried out by the Faculty of Arts to identify problems faced by students and academic staff during online learning process. From the descriptive analyses, the findings showed that the students were concerned mainly with unconducive learning environment, internet connectivity problems, inadequate training on the use of online learning platforms, unreliable electricity supply, cost of internet bundles and lack of online learning equipment such as laptops especially during examinations. The study revealed further that almost all the students were stressed by online challenges. Coping strategies employed by the students to overcome the effect of the challenges included consulting with each other mostly through social media, accessing learning materials from their lecturers and the internet, using local internet cafes for most of their online learning needs, seeking technical help from staff from the University ICT Department. The findings revealed that the online learning process was instituted on emergency basis to cope with the sudden closure of the university. There is therefore need to invest more in online learning infrastructure and training so that the quality of online learning can be improved beyond its current scope.