Students prefer F2F learning when Covid is not a consideration.
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BL is preferable in the Covid period because of the physical risk associated with the pandemic.
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Students consider BL to be limited in terms of; interactions with the lecturer; group work; peer engagement; class involvement; and the ability to ask questions about technical information.
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Thus, when F2F is suddenly replaced by BL, an element of social interaction facilitated by F2F is considered lost, but still desired by students.
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The results imply students perceive F2F to be superior to BL is because social elements expected by students in a F2F environment may not be embedded into netiquette frameworks.
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We would therefore encourage educators to incorporate social elements into netiquette strategies to enhance BL deliveries in ‘normal times' in preparation for a similar disaster scenario.
Abstract
The impact of Covid-19 has had a far reaching effect on higher education institutions. However, few studies report on the relative perceptions of students about face-to-face (F2F) and blended learning (BL) in periods when Covid-19 is/not a consideration. Using a sample of 103/79 undergraduate students, a mixed-method approach is utilized to report qualitative and quantitative evidence regarding student perceptions. The results demonstrate BL is perceived more positively during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, F2F is preferred to BL when Covid is not an issue. F2F learning is perceived more positively to BL because students feel that there are limitations to BL in terms of; interactions with the lecturer; group work; peer engagement; class involvement; and the ability to ask questions about technical information. Moreover, qualitative evidence shows that students perceive F2F to be superior to BL because social elements expected in a F2F environment may not be embedded into netiquette frameworks. From a policymaking standpoint, we encourage embedding social elements into BL to enhance student experience so that student's negative attitudes regarding the transition from F2F delivery to online/BL can be minimized. From a practical standpoint, we provide insights about strategies to embed socials elements into netiquette frameworks.
