Higher Education in Light of Covid-19 Pandemic: The Role of Educational Technology

ABSTRACT

The aim of the paper is to discuss and analyze the effect of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic on the higher education sector across the word. In addition, it aims to highlight the challenges and opportunities it has created for the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by migrating to the online learning mode. Therefore, the current study has underlined various areas of technology used in the higher education sector transformation enabling HEIs' a smooth migration towards the online/distance delivery mode, that was mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions. The findings revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions have provided HEIs the opportunity to be operating through online learning mode, while other HEIs have significantly struggled through the process, with some of them were required to postpone their classes till the overall conditions allow them to resume physical face to face classes. The findings have significant implications suggesting that even if the COVID-19 pandemic situation is cleared, HEIs are highly advised to consider the implementation of online learning mode, or at least the hybrid mode of learning. Moreover, HEIs are highly advised to re-think about their budgets allocations and re-adjust them based on the experience and outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic.