ONLINE LEARNING IN PAKISTAN: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF EXISTING LITERATURE

Abstract

The field of online learning in Pakistan gained prominence during the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people using online learning grew significantly. Campuses of educational institutions went online due to the pandemic. Educational institutions used the internet to continue with their education. Many institutions adopted learning management systems to deliver courses. This alteration of the teaching environment was encouraged by this immediate shift. This abrupt shift in connectivity revealed the possibilities and drawbacks of online education. Although there is increasing interest in digital education, online education remains a somewhat underexplored area of research in Pakistan. A lot of research is devoted to online classes and students' experiences. The existing literature indicates that researchers have primarily investigated teachers' preparedness for digital instruction. Other papers examine the role of technology in online learning. Some researchers explored student engagement in online settings. Some of the works examine the proficiency of online pedagogical practices. The level of student satisfaction with digital learning is also a subject of study by researchers. The studies add to the literature on the increased area of online learning. They are also useful in enhancing the digital teaching methods. Nevertheless, online learning has yet to be studied for its effectiveness. Therefore, this study aims to critically review the existing literature on online learning in Pakistan.