Studying during Pandemic: A Review of Issues from Online Learning in the Middle of COVID-19

Among the many sectors impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, education is one of the most affected where the existing system of students sharing spaces in physical classes is deemed too dangerous. As a response to the closure of schools and universities by the Malaysian government, Universiti Teknologi MARA was among the earliest that announced the continuation of semester via online learning. Immediately after the statement, students flocked to social medias expressing negative sentiments on the university's decision. They voiced possible difficulties such as inability to focus, problems accessing the Internet, and feelings of unfairness. These concerns of students are worthy of a study as they feel strongly about them even without having entirely gone an online learning experience at the time of announcement. With that in mind, this paper explores issues on learning during a pandemic by focusing especially on recent and early reports that have only been published once COVID-19 epidemic becomes a global issue. Result of these reviews on literature shows that these issues can be categorized into six: technological readiness, technological knowledge, financial, facility, emotional, and domestic situations. These six categories are not by any means conclusive and other arising issues discovered in the future may necessitate the creation of new categories. However, findings from the categories discussed here are enough to be used as a stepping point for further explorations. For example, as the backdrop against a research of students' experience after completion of online learning, where their earlier sentiments can either be verified, or challenged against.