Revolutionising education: In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis and its global implications, China pioneers online learning strategies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69725/aei.v1i2.147
Keywords:
Online learning, COV19, Academic performance, Digital divide, Education policyAbstract
Objective: This study investigates the effectiveness and global implications of China's innovative online education strategies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on academic performance, engagement, and equity in learning outcomes.
Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed, utilizing data from 700 undergraduate students in Wuhan, China, collected from 2019 to 2024. Statistical analyses, including paired t-tests and regression models, were conducted to evaluate differences in academic performance across demographic groups and assess the correlation between engagement levels and learning outcomes.
Results: The findings revealed that China's large-scale online education initiatives significantly enhanced academic performance and engagement, especially among urban students. However, challenges such as the digital divide persisted, disproportionately affecting rural learners. These insights emphasize the importance of equitable resource distribution in online education.
Novelty: This research provides a unique perspective on the rapid adaptation of educational systems during a global crisis, highlighting China's unprecedented efforts to maintain learning continuity. It identifies both strengths and limitations of large-scale online learning, offering innovative solutions for bridging gaps in digital education.
Theory and Policy Implications: The results validate key theoretical frameworks, including the Technology Acceptance Model and Engagement Theory, while providing actionable recommendations for policymakers. These include strategies for enhancing digital infrastructure, improving accessibility, and fostering sustainable online education models globally
Downloads
References
Al-Fudail, M., & Mellar, H. (2008). Investigating teacher stress when using technology. Computers & Education, 51(3), 1103–1110. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2007.11.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2007.11.004
Al Lily, A. E., Ismail, A. F., Abunasser, F. M., & Alhajhoj Alqahtani, R. H. (2020). Distance education as a response to pandemics: Coronavirus and Arab culture. Technology in Society, 63, 101317. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101317 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101317
Amankwah-Amoah, J., Khan, Z., Wood, G., & Knight, G. (2021). COVID-19 and digitalization: The great acceleration. Journal of Business Research, 136, 602–611. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.08.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.08.011
Antonopoulou, K., Begkos, C., & Zhu, Z. (2023). Staying afloat amidst extreme uncertainty: A case study of digital transformation in Higher Education. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 192, 122603. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122603 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122603
Arakpogun, E. O., Elsahn, Z., Nyuur, R. B., & Olan, F. (2020). Threading the needle of the digital divide in Africa: The barriers and mitigations of infrastructure sharing. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 161, 120263. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120263 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120263
Balogun, A.-L., Marks, D., Sharma, R., Shekhar, H., Balmes, C., Maheng, D., Arshad, A., & Salehi, P. (2020). Assessing the Potentials of Digitalization as a Tool for Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Development in Urban Centres. Sustainable Cities and Society, 53, 101888. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2019.101888 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2019.101888
Baragash, R. S., & Al-Samarraie, H. (2018). Blended learning: Investigating the influence of engagement in multiple learning delivery modes on students’ performance. Telematics and Informatics, 35(7), 2082–2098. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2018.07.010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2018.07.010
Clark, A. E., Nong, H., Zhu, H., & Zhu, R. (2021). Compensating for academic loss: Online learning and student performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. China Economic Review, 68, 101629. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2021.101629 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2021.101629
Damşa, C., Langford, M., Uehara, D., & Scherer, R. (2021). Teachers’ agency and online education in times of crisis. Computers in Human Behavior, 121, 106793. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106793 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106793
Dečman, M. (2015). Modeling the acceptance of e-learning in mandatory environments of higher education: The influence of previous education and gender. Computers in Human Behavior, 49, 272–281. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.03.022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.03.022
Del Río Castro, G., González Fernández, M. C., & Uruburu Colsa, Á. (2021). Unleashing the convergence amid digitalization and sustainability towards pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A holistic review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 280, 122204. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122204 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122204
DeWit, A., Shaw, R., & Djalante, R. (2020). An integrated approach to sustainable development, National Resilience, and COVID-19 responses: The case of Japan. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 51, 101808. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101808 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101808
Dong, C., Cao, S., & Li, H. (2020). Young children’s online learning during COVID-19 pandemic: Chinese parents’ beliefs and attitudes. Children and Youth Services Review, 118, 105440. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105440 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105440
Donthu, N., & Gustafsson, A. (2020). Effects of COVID-19 on business and research. Journal of Business Research, 117, 284–289. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.06.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.06.008
Dwivedi, Y. K., Hughes, D. L., Coombs, C., Constantiou, I., Duan, Y., Edwards, J. S., Gupta, B., Lal, B., Misra, S., Prashant, P., Raman, R., Rana, N. P., Sharma, S. K., & Upadhyay, N. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on information management research and practice: Transforming education, work and life. International Journal of Information Management, 55, 102211. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102211 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102211
Dwivedi, Y. K., Hughes, L., Kar, A. K., Baabdullah, A. M., Grover, P., Abbas, R., Andreini, D., Abumoghli, I., Barlette, Y., Bunker, D., Chandra Kruse, L., Constantiou, I., Davison, R. M., De’, R., Dubey, R., Fenby-Taylor, H., Gupta, B., He, W., Kodama, M., … Wade, M. (2022). Climate change and COP26: Are digital technologies and information management part of the problem or the solution? An editorial reflection and call to action. International Journal of Information Management, 63, 102456. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102456 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102456
Ertmer, P. A., Ottenbreit-Leftwich, A. T., Sadik, O., Sendurur, E., & Sendurur, P. (2012). Teacher beliefs and technology integration practices: A critical relationship. Computers & Education, 59(2), 423–435. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.02.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.02.001
Galanouli, D., Murphy, C., & Gardner, J. (2004). Teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of ICT-competence training. Computers & Education, 43(1), 63–79. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2003.12.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2003.12.005
Grimes, S. (2000). Rural areas in the information society: diminishing distance or increasing learning capacity? Journal of Rural Studies, 16(1), 13–21. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0743-0167(99)00027-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0743-0167(99)00027-3
Grinin, L., Grinin, A., & Korotayev, A. (2022). COVID-19 pandemic as a trigger for the acceleration of the cybernetic revolution, transition from e-government to e-state, and change in social relations. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 175, 121348. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121348 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121348
Hepburn, C., Qi, Y., Stern, N., Ward, B., Xie, C., & Zenghelis, D. (2021). Towards carbon neutrality and China’s 14th Five-Year Plan: Clean energy transition, sustainable urban development, and investment priorities. Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, 8, 100130. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ese.2021.100130 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ese.2021.100130
Hernández-Sellés, N., Pablo-César Muñoz-Carril, & González-Sanmamed, M. (2019). Computer-supported collaborative learning: An analysis of the relationship between interaction, emotional support and online collaborative tools. Computers & Education, 138, 1–12. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.04.012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.04.012
Hofer, S. I., Nistor, N., & Scheibenzuber, C. (2021). Online teaching and learning in higher education: Lessons learned in crisis situations. Computers in Human Behavior, 121, 106789. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106789 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106789
Jacob, W. J., & Gokbel, V. (2018). Global higher education learning outcomes and financial trends: Comparative and innovative approaches. International Journal of Educational Development, 58, 5–17. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2017.03.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2017.03.001
Khurana, I., Dutta, D. K., & Singh Ghura, A. (2022). SMEs and digital transformation during a crisis: The emergence of resilience as a second-order dynamic capability in an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Journal of Business Research, 150, 623–641. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.06.048 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.06.048
Kummitha, R. K. R. (2020). Smart technologies for fighting pandemics: The techno- and human- driven approaches in controlling the virus transmission. Government Information Quarterly, 37(3), 101481. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2020.101481 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2020.101481
Lan, Y. (2024). Through tensions to identity-based motivations: Exploring teacher professional identity in Artificial Intelligence-enhanced teacher training. Teaching and Teacher Education, 151, 104736. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2024.104736 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2024.104736
Li, J.-P. O., Liu, H., Ting, D. S. J., Jeon, S., Chan, R. V. P., Kim, J. E., Sim, D. A., Thomas, P. B. M., Lin, H., Chen, Y., Sakomoto, T., Loewenstein, A., Lam, D. S. C., Pasquale, L. R., Wong, T. Y., Lam, L. A., & Ting, D. S. W. (2021). Digital technology, tele-medicine and artificial intelligence in ophthalmology: A global perspective. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, 82, 100900. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100900 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100900
Li, Y., & Ranieri, M. (2013). Educational and social correlates of the digital divide for rural and urban children: A study on primary school students in a provincial city of China. Computers & Education, 60(1), 197–209. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.08.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.08.001
Liao, H., Ma, S., & Xue, H. (2022). Does school shutdown increase inequality in academic performance? Evidence from COVID-19 pandemic in China. China Economic Review, 75, 101847. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2022.101847 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2022.101847
Liu, Z., Tang, Q., Ouyang, F., Long, T., & Liu, S. (2024). Profiling students’ learning engagement in MOOC discussions to identify learning achievement: An automated configurational approach. Computers & Education, 219, 105109. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2024.105109 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2024.105109
López-Pérez, M. V., Pérez-López, M. C., & Rodríguez-Ariza, L. (2011). Blended learning in higher education: Students’ perceptions and their relation to outcomes. Computers & Education, 56(3), 818–826. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.10.023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.10.023
Martínez-Cerdá, J.-F., Torrent-Sellens, J., & González-González, I. (2020). Socio-technical e-learning innovation and ways of learning in the ICT-space-time continuum to improve the employability skills of adults. Computers in Human Behavior, 107, 105753. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.10.019 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.10.019
Müller, C., & Mildenberger, T. (2021). Facilitating flexible learning by replacing classroom time with an online learning environment: A systematic review of blended learning in higher education. Educational Research Review, 34, 100394. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2021.100394 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2021.100394
Ng, D. T. K., Ching, A. C. H., & Law, S. W. (2023). Online learning in management education amid the pandemic: A bibliometric and content analysis. The International Journal of Management Education, 21(2), 100796. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2023.100796 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2023.100796
Núñez-Canal, M., de Obesso, M. de las M., & Pérez-Rivero, C. A. (2022). New challenges in higher education: A study of the digital competence of educators in Covid times. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 174, 121270. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121270 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121270
Ochieng, V. O., Asego, C. S., & Gyasi, R. M. (2023). The place of academia and industry in the adoption and adaptation of educational technologies for a post-COVID-19 recovery in Africa. Scientific African, 20, e01658. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2023.e01658 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2023.e01658
Paechter, M., Maier, B., & Macher, D. (2010). Students’ expectations of, and experiences in e-learning: Their relation to learning achievements and course satisfaction. Computers & Education, 54(1), 222–229. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2009.08.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2009.08.005
Panigrahi, R., Srivastava, P. R., & Sharma, D. (2018). Online learning: Adoption, continuance, and learning outcome—A review of literature. International Journal of Information Management, 43, 1–14. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2018.05.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2018.05.005
Platto, S., Wang, Y., Zhou, J., & Carafoli, E. (2021). History of the COVID-19 pandemic: Origin, explosion, worldwide spreading. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 538, 14–23. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.10.087 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.10.087
Ranjbari, M., Shams Esfandabadi, Z., Zanetti, M. C., Scagnelli, S. D., Siebers, P.-O., Aghbashlo, M., Peng, W., Quatraro, F., & Tabatabaei, M. (2021). Three pillars of sustainability in the wake of COVID-19: A systematic review and future research agenda for sustainable development. Journal of Cleaner Production, 297, 126660. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126660 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126660
Salemink, K., Strijker, D., & Bosworth, G. (2017). Rural development in the digital age: A systematic literature review on unequal ICT availability, adoption, and use in rural areas. Journal of Rural Studies, 54, 360–371. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2015.09.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2015.09.001
Selvaraj, A., Radhin, V., KA, N., Benson, N., & Mathew, A. J. (2021). Effect of pandemic based online education on teaching and learning system. International Journal of Educational Development, 85, 102444. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2021.102444 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2021.102444
Shea, P., & Bidjerano, T. (2009). Community of inquiry as a theoretical framework to foster “epistemic engagement” and “cognitive presence” in online education. Computers & Education, 52(3), 543–553. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2008.10.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2008.10.007
Shea, P., Hayes, S., Smith, S. U., Vickers, J., Bidjerano, T., Pickett, A., Gozza-Cohen, M., Wilde, J., & Jian, S. (2012). Learning presence: Additional research on a new conceptual element within the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework. The Internet and Higher Education, 15(2), 89–95. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2011.08.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2011.08.002
Shen, J., Duan, H., Zhang, B., Wang, J., Ji, J. S., Wang, J., Pan, L., Wang, X., Zhao, K., Ying, B., Tang, S., Zhang, J., Liang, C., Sun, H., Lv, Y., Li, Y., Li, T., Li, L., Liu, H., … Shi, X. (2020). Prevention and control of COVID-19 in public transportation: Experience from China. Environmental Pollution, 266, 115291. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115291 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115291
Tang, Y. M., Chen, P. C., Law, K. M. Y., Wu, C. H., Lau, Y., Guan, J., He, D., & Ho, G. T. S. (2021). Comparative analysis of Student’s live online learning readiness during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the higher education sector. Computers & Education, 168, 104211. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104211 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104211
van Raaij, E. M., & Schepers, J. J. L. (2008). The acceptance and use of a virtual learning environment in China. Computers & Education, 50(3), 838–852. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2006.09.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2006.09.001
Vanli, T., & Akan, T. (2023). Mapping synergies and trade-offs between smart city dimensions: A network analysis. Cities, 142, 104527. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2023.104527 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2023.104527
Wang, H., & Guo, J. (2024). New way out of efficiency-equity dilemma: Digital technology empowerment for local government environmental governance. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 200, 123184. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.123184 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.123184
Wang, J., Tigelaar, D. E. H., Luo, J., & Admiraal, W. (2022). Teacher beliefs, classroom process quality, and student engagement in the smart classroom learning environment: A multilevel analysis. Computers & Education, 183, 104501. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104501 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104501
Wang, Y., Cao, Y., Gong, S., Wang, Z., Li, N., & Ai, L. (2022). Interaction and learning engagement in online learning: The mediating roles of online learning self-efficacy and academic emotions. Learning and Individual Differences, 94, 102128. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2022.102128 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2022.102128
Xu, Z., Wang, X., Wang, X., & Skare, M. (2021). A comprehensive bibliometric analysis of entrepreneurship and crisis literature published from 1984 to 2020. Journal of Business Research, 135, 304–318. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.06.051 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.06.051
Yan, C., & Wang, L. (2022). Experienced EFL teachers switching to online teaching: A case study from China. System, 105, 102717. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2021.102717 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2021.102717
Zhang, S., Liu, Q., Chen, W., Wang, Q., & Huang, Z. (2017). Interactive networks and social knowledge construction behavioral patterns in primary school teachers’ online collaborative learning activities. Computers & Education, 104, 1–17. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2016.10.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2016.10.011
Zhao, L., Cao, C., Li, Y., & Li, Y. (2022). Determinants of the digital outcome divide in E-learning between rural and urban students: Empirical evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic based on capital theory. Computers in Human Behavior, 130, 107177. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107177 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107177
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Ming L, Shanshan l, Fangmei L (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Advances Educational Innovation (AEI) © 2024 by Inovasi Analysis Data is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0