Abstract:

COVID-19 has had a considerable impact on learning environments, placing huge challenges on students and teachers. During the pandemic period, academic activities were mainly provided in a remote learning environment. Learning and assessment activities had to be adjusted to remote environments. The present study is particularly focuses on students' perceptions. Namely, it aims to understand the students' perceptions of the learning and assessment activities during the first lockdown due to COVID-19 in a Portuguese Higher Education Institution. Specifically, we aim to understand the difficulties and challenges identified by higher education students related to remote learning environments.

For this qualitative study, we used a semi-structured interview for data collection. Data were collected in September and October 2020. We interviewed 29 students from a Portuguese Higher education institution. Data were analysed according to content analysis procedures. Our results suggest that most students had a positive evaluation of the learning process and assessment during the pandemic. The most positive dimensions were related to their ability to manage their own time and better work/study management. On the other hand, students understood it as a challenge to their ability to maintain focus, be motivated for classes and tasks, and interact with the teacher. These challenges are related to the understanding of less efficient learning.

Therefore, most students were satisfied with the learning and the assessment process during the first lockdown. Furthermore, students identified several positive aspects and challenges related to this period. Higher Education Institutions' decision-makers should consider these results to develop new strategies and models for Higher Education.

Keywords:

Remote learning, remote assessment, students.