Parallel Session

Effect of Virtual classroom learning on academic achievement of Basic Science Students' amidst COVID -19 Pandemic 

Abstract

The Pandemic of Coronavirus which is popularly known as COVID 19 is a health crisis issue. Countries around the world have rightly decided to close schools and colleges to curtail the spread of the pandemic thus reducing social and physical contact and saving lives. The best public policy tool available to raise scientific skills and social awareness is attending school. Missing school because of COVID 19 has interruptedly affected teaching and learning of sciences and have consequences for science and technology growth. The study is aimed to assess the extent this has actually bridged the gap of science teaching and learning caused by COVID 19, thus affecting the academic achievement. Virtual classrooms are technologically-driven classrooms that support individualized learning of self-directed and self -regulated learning. Quasi-experimental design was adopted, Questionnaire was used for data collection from both the teachers and learners that has partake in the e-classes (Online classes/digital classes). The data collected were analyzed using Independent T-test, Paired sampled test and Regression analysis. The variables for the study were set at P= 0.05 alpha level. Results from the findings reveals that Virtual classroom has indeed bridge gaps and thus improved academic performance of Basic Science students. In recommendation, despite that virtual learning is not relatively new but have recently emerged as an important option to teaching and learning amidst COVID 19 helping the learners to study from home. This, increasingly improving dynamic teaching and learning, moving Education from traditional classroom of face - to - face learning environment to more interactive and collaborative environment. It recommended that students' access to virtual classroom learning should be improved upon and it utilization should be more ensured amidst COVID and Post COVID pandemic.

Keywords: Virtual Learning, Pandemic, Science, Technology, Digital classes.