COVID-19 and online learning: Challenges, benefits, and intrinsic motivation of Bangladeshi private university students

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many educational institutions, including private universities, all over the world to shift to online education, and Bangladesh was no exception. However, the transition presented numerous obstacles. The purpose of this paper was to determine what motivated private university students to continue their online education during the pandemic despite the challenges. The challenges and benefits reflected by students regarding online education were also discussed in this study by applying thematic analysis through a mixed-method approach. Further, to investigate the factors that intrinsically motivated the learners, Self-Determination Theory was employed as a theoretical framework. A total number of 80 students from different private universities, both male and female, participated in this study. Findings revealed that most of the learners of online classes faced challenges in several issues, such as poor technology and internet facilities, financial constraints, unsuitable home environments, deterioration of physical and mental health, and insufficient feedback. Besides, this study discovered that despite the challenges, learners were intrinsically motivated to continue learning during the lockdown as competence, relatedness and autonomy were ensured. These findings would be essential guidelines and implications for educators and university authorities of private universities for making better policy choices for online classes in the future.