Impact of Virtual Learning Exposure on Students’ Satisfaction during the Covid-19 Pandemic Epoch: A Study at Sri Lankan University

Abstract

The swift shift to virtual education due to the COVID-19 pandemic required a detailed assessment of students' satisfaction with this new learning environment. This study aims to examine the factors influencing students' satisfaction with online learning, focusing on how challenges of e-learning, learner motivation, and interaction affect their experience. Specifically, it investigates the extent to which these independent variables such as challenges of e-learning, learner motivation, and interaction impact students' satisfaction with online education during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the University of Jaffna in Sri Lanka. The study seeks to determine how these factors contribute to students' overall satisfaction with the transition to online learning. Using a convenience sampling, data gathered from 100 students at the University of Jaffna through a structured questionnaire. The data were then analyzed with SPSS version 25.0, utilizing Multiple Regression Modeling to evaluate the proposed hypotheses. This study highlights the strong correlation between learner motivation and student satisfaction in online education, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study findings indicate a significant and positive relationship between student satisfaction and learner motivation, with learner motivation having the most substantial impact on satisfaction. Although e-learning challenges and interaction did not significantly influence satisfaction, this study has implications in practical, theoretical, and managerial areas. These results enhance comprehension of the factors influencing online learning satisfaction during exceptional global difficulties. Future research should expand to other universities and include perspectives from teachers and staffs to enhance generalizability.