Students’ voice as a source of reflection and growth in the teaching and learning setting at a post secondary institution : lessons learnt after several months in pandemic circumstances

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic changed the teaching and learning scenario in education. The authors of this paper, both lecturers at a post secondary institution in Malta, were determined to understand the students’ lived experiences during remote learning. Rich data was generated in two studies through a mixed research method approach using questionnaires with several open-ended questions. One questionnaire explored the students’ experiences during the initial three months of remote learning, and, in the second study, a follow-up questionnaire was sent to the same students a year later. This paper focuses on the second study. The students’ response indicated a shift from initial chaos and uncertainty to uniformity and relative stability. Some students remained unscathed by this experience, but months of remote learning affected the learning and wellbeing of others. The students’ voice confirmed the sensitivities of such a crucial age group, exposing typical personal, academic, familial and social vulnerabilities. Issues of diversity and equity exposed a diverse spectrum of emotional maturity, learning abilities and domestic backgrounds amongst students. Surprisingly, several students reflected on the effectiveness of learning methods in remote and physical classes. The findings in this paper call for valuable lessons to be learnt and applied in a versatile new normal.