University students split over effectiveness of e-platforms, poll shows

AMMAN — A total of 83 per cent of university students are making use of the educational platforms provided by their universities, while 42 per cent are satisfied with these platforms, a survey showed on Thursday.

The poll, conducted by the University of Jordan’s Strategic Studies Centre, also revealed that 92 per cent of faculty members use these platforms and that 87 per cent of them are satisfied with these platforms, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Conducted between April 14 and 21, the poll showed that 60 per cent of students are facing challenges in accessing these educational platforms, while only 31 per cent of instructors have encountered the same difficulties, which were mainly related to Internet speed and using up Internet bundles.

The survey said that universities have provided 65 per cent of the information students need on how to access these educational platforms, while 51 per cent of universities have provided technical assistance when needed.

A majority of students, at 73 per cent, use their smartphones to access the e-platforms, while the vast majority of instructors, at 78 per cent, use their computers or laptops to access the platforms.

Sixty-seven per cent of students said that educational materials on these platforms “do not serve creative potential” and 57 per cent of students are not satisfied with the teaching methods applied via online education.

Moreover, 64 per cent of students think that they will not be sufficiently prepared to take exams following the education they received online, while 81 per cent of students believe that remote education is “not equivalent” to education on campus in terms of quality, interaction and developing creative skills.

The poll also showed that 85 per cent of students and 86 per cent of instructors use communication tools besides those available on the e-educational channels provided by the universities.

The survey revealed that 55 per cent of students and 82 per cent of instructors agree on a mixed education method that combines traditional education and remote learning.