Role of Virtual Learning in Continuing Education and Development of Students during Global Pandemic COVID-19

This report discusses the importance of virtual learning in the education system of the United Kingdom during global pandemic COVID-19. It covers the challenges faced by students during the pandemic and the role of virtual learning in continuing education and development of students. The report also includes the research methodology and resources required for the study.

RESEARCH METHODS
(Role of Virtual learning in continuing education
and development of students during global
pandemic COVID-19)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT........................................................................................3
RESEARCH RATIONALE WITH JUSTIFICATION..............................................................3
PROJECT AIM, OBJECTIVES AND QUESTIONS.................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................5
INTENDED METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................6
RESOURCES RQUIRED AND ACTION PLAN..........................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT
Outbreak of global pandemic COVID-19 has created disruption in the whole world.
People were unable to move out from their houses, meet people and many more (Djafar and et.
al., 2021). Companies have faced losses during this time because they were not able to continue
their business operations (Basias and Pollalis, 2018). In the same way students who were going
to colleges and schools had to sit at their homes only because government had put restrictions on
the movement of people. So, virtual learning had gained importance during COVID-19 because
education systems have adopted online methods to continue education of students (Solihatin and
et. al., 2020). Virtual learning has helped in improving the creative thinking of students during
global pandemic COVID-19. The present report covers the information about importance of
virtual learning in the education system of the United Kingdom during global pandemic COVID-
19.
RESEARCH RATIONALE WITH JUSTIFICATION
The main purpose of conducting the existing study is to take out in-depth information
about the importance of virtual learning in the education system during global pandemic
COVID-19 (Rutberg and Bouikidis, 2018). This report is also focused taking out negative impact
and positive impact of using virtual learning during COVID-19. There are two significant
objectives which are: personal and professional objective. In respect of personal perspective, I
will increase my knowledge about the different areas. I will also learn about the strategies of
virtual learning environment. On the other hand, in respect of professional perspective, I will
learn about the strategies which can be very useful in my professional career. Therefore, the
current study will help me in meeting my personal and professional objectives in a systematic
and effective manner.
PROJECT AIM, OBJECTIVES AND QUESTIONS
Aim: To identify the role of Virtual learning in continuing education and development of
students during global pandemic COVID-19: A study on education industry of UK
Objectives:
 To understand the concept of COVID-19 and Virtual learning within the United Kingdom
 To determine the challenges faced by students of the UK during COVID-19 pandemic

 To analyse the importance of Virtual learning in continuing education and development
of students during global pandemic COVID-19 within education industry of UK
Questions:
 Explain the concept of COVID-19 and Virtual learning within the United Kingdom?
 What are the challenges faced by students of the UK during COVID-19 pandemic?
 What is the importance of Virtual learning in continuing education and development of
students during global pandemic COVID-19 within education industry of UK?

LITERATURE REVIEW
It is the chapter which is majorly focused towards addressing the questions of the
research. This uses sources of secondary to assemble data such as books, newspapers, articles,
publication and many more.
Explain the concept of COVID-19 and Virtual learning within the United Kingdom?
As per the viewpoint of Zuo, Dillman and Miller Juvé (2020), COVID 19 is a disease
which spread from an infected person's nose or mouth in small liquid particles when they speak,
cough, sneeze, breathe or sing. The pandemic has created a great impact on the business and
human life. Due to pandemic human life is in dramatic loss and also it brings unpredicted
challenges to world of work, economy, food systems and public health. It has also bring stress
among people as they were not able to do their work due to government restrictions. In order to
reduce the spread of disease, government has decided to imposed lock-down. Business world is
facing huge loss due to lock down restrictions as they were not able to sell and produce their
products. Education industry also faced great impact due to COVID 19 as they have to design
new strategies and adopt new way of working. Students were affected due to closure of schools
which leads to an expected rise in dropouts, increase in digital divide and learning loss. In the
tough time of pandemic, virtual learning plays an important role for students. The education has
changed dramatically due to rise of e-learning as teaching is undertaken on digital platforms and
remotely. Virtual learning is mode through which schools and university are providing
education services to its students through using internet. Online learning has increased the
retention of information and also take less time to provide knowledge to students via online
platforms. Through virtual learning, students can avail continual education and also divert their
mind in the tough time of pandemic. Online learning has changed the learning pattern of students
as it helps in increasing inclusivity, improves accessibility, cost saving, greater flexibility and
comfort.
What are the challenges faced by students of the UK during COVID-19 pandemic?
As per the opinion of Reyes-Carmona (2020), there are various challenges which are
faced by students of UK during COVID 19 pandemic such as challenge of maintaining safety
precautions, lost practice of writing, loss of interest and writing, mental health deteriorating,
unable to get in touch with teachers and professors, affect on mental health and becoming more

complacent and lethargic. These are the few challenges which creates an impact on the
performance and productivity of students. Due to pandemic, students has loss their interest and
writing in education. While sitting at home they become more complacent and lethargic due to
which their determination and motivation gets influenced. It becomes difficult for students to
come back on track and complete their project on deadlines (Murdock and et. al., 2020). There
is a lack of social interaction due to pandemic as students have lost their social skills and have
fear of interacting with other students due to awkwardness and social anxiety. It would be
difficult for students to interact with teachers and peers and rekindle their friendship. The other
challenge which is faced by students in pandemic is mental health deteriorating. The lock-down
has influenced the mental health of students as they were not able to interact with their friends
and colleagues and also not able to go to school due to lock-down. In order tor reduce the
negative impact on students health, colleges and schools have started online learning platforms.
These courses were designed to stimulate the engagement level of students and also helps in
reducing the stress and anxiety. But some students faced difficulty to learn through online
platform as they don't have access to computers and internet at home. The mental health issue
influence the academic success and social interaction of students which affects the career and
personal opportunities. Another challenge which is faced by students during lock-down is unable
to get in touch with teachers and professors. It becomes difficult for students to interact with
teachers face to face and solve their issues. Students have to wait for their live session in order to
interact with their peers and teachers.
What is the importance of Virtual learning in continuing education and development of students
during global pandemic COVID-19 within education industry of UK?
As per the perspective of Black, Ferdig and Thompson (2021), there is an importance of
virtual learning in continuing education and development of students during global pandemic
COVID 19 within education industry in UK as students can interact with each other and also
build teamwork abilities through online conversations. Through virtual learning, students can
avail highly personalised learning programs that helps in boosting the participation and
engagement level of students. Schools and universities are adopting online learning techniques in
order to make their students more independent learners. Virtual learning helps in providing
greater control to students due to the use of minimal infrastructure, so it become easy for the
students to personalise their learning. It also provides flexible learning schedules to students as

they all have unique and different learning pace which is matched by delivery of online learning.
Students can also avail access to coursework from anywhere at any time. Through online
learning platform students can access to assignments, watch faculty presentation, contact
teachers, join student discussion and post homework (Liu and et. al., 2020). Virtual learning is
also effective as students can learn things in effective and efficient manner. It helps in saving the
hours of students and also it helps in sharpen their time management skills as they have to be
disciplined and find the time for studies. Virtual learning also provide career development
opportunities to students as they can better prepare to continue working while pursuing academic
credentials. It also helps in increasing the collaboration between the students due to which they
can collectively work together to accomplish the task. The benefit of virtual learning is that
students can post their feedback of readings and respond their classmates. Through virtual
learning, students can also avail feedbacks from their teachers which helps in improving their
productivity and performance.

INTENDED METHODOLOGY
Research methods are very important for the accumulation of data in a systematic way.
This is the section which provides relevant method to accumulate and analyse information.
Saunders research onion framework will be followed by investigator to assemble and evaluate
information in a proper way.
Research Philosophy: The philosophy is categorised into two forms which are:
positivism and interpretivism philosophy (Mohajan, 2018). Researcher will depend upon
positivism philosophy so that numerical information can be systematically evaluated and
analysed. The major advantage of using positivism philosophy is that it gives certain principles
to analyse the accuracy of statistical information.
Research Approach: The approach is classified in two forms that include: inductive and
deductive approach. According to the need of existing research, investigator will select deductive
approach as it facilitates in the evaluation of statistical and numerical piece of information
(Dźwigoł and Dźwigoł-Barosz, 2018). The major reason behind selecting deductive approach is
that it only considers existing theories to evaluate numerable information.
Research Strategy: This is the research method which assists in the process of
accumulating information. The various kind of research strategies are: case study, action
research, survey, observation, interview, systematic literature review and many more.
Investigator will choose survey strategy to assemble raw data and literature review to gather
second-hand information (Torres Martín and et. al., 2021). The main reason of using survey is to
accumulate data in a convenient manner in the limited time period.
Research Choice: The choice is classified into two kinds: qualitative and quantitative
research choice. Researcher will choose quantitative choice so that numerable data can be
accumulated and objectives could be conveniently met (Shamir-Inbal and Blau, 2021). The main
advantage of considering quantitative choice is that it only concentrates on numerable and
statistical content. This only considers questionnaire instrument to assemble data which can be
compared and measured.
Data Collection: It is the research method which provides two forms: primary and
secondary data collection method. Researcher has opted for primary method of data collection
with the motive of assembling raw data. For this questionnaire will be made by investigator with
right number of close-ended questions (Sharadgah and Sa'di, 2020). On the other hand,

researcher will also used secondary method so that published data can be utilised. Books,
articles, journals, publication, newspapers will be used by researcher.
Time Horizon: Time is the component which is mostly needed to do investigation. This
has two forms which are: cross-sectional and longitudinal time horizon. Researcher will select
cross-sectional time horizon so that activities can be completed in real time situations.
Sampling: It is the method which assists in selecting right participant to assembled data.
This has two kinds: probability and non-probability sampling (Tuttle and Hansen, 2021).
Researcher will choose probability sampling so that large number of participants can be chosen
and information can be assembled from them. 50 students will be selected from UK education
industry to collect information from them. Researcher will also use random strategy so that data
can be assembled from respondents without selecting any particular criteria.

RESOURCES RQUIRED AND ACTION PLAN
For completing the current investigation, researcher will use some significant resources.
The resources used in this research are: questionnaire, books, newspapers, articles and many
more. Funds will also be needed by research in relation to incur certain expenditure such as
stationary, travelling expenses etc.
Gantt chart will also be formed by investigator to include activities to perform and time
needed for completing those activities.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Basias, N. and Pollalis, Y., 2018. Quantitative and qualitative research in business & technology:
Justifying a suitable research methodology. Review of Integrative Business and
Economics Research, 7, pp.91-105.
Black, E., Ferdig, R. and Thompson, L.A ., 2021. K-12 virtual schooling, COVID-19, and
student success. JAMA pediatrics, 175(2), pp.119-120.
Djafar and et. al., 2021. Qualitative and Quantitative Paradigm Constellation In Educational
Research Methodology. International Journal of Educational Research & Social
Sciences, 2(2), pp.339-345.
Dźwigoł, H. and Dźwigoł-Barosz, M., 2018. Scientific research methodology in management
sciences. Фінансово-кредитна діяльність: проблеми теорії та практики, 2(25),
pp.424-437.
Liu, C .H and et. al., 2020. Priorities for addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on
college student mental health. Journal of American College Health, pp.1-3.
Mohajan, H.K., 2018. Qualitative research methodology in social sciences and related
subjects. Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, 7(1), pp.23-48.
Murdock, H. M and et. al., 2020. Virtual Morning Report during COVID‐19: A novel model for
case‐based teaching conferences. Medical education.
Reyes-Carmona, J., 2020. COVID-19 Outbreak and Dentistry. Odovtos International Journal of
Dental Sciences, 22(2), pp.9-9.
Rutberg, S. and Bouikidis, C.D., 2018. Focusing on the fundamentals: A simplistic
differentiation between qualitative and quantitative research. Nephrology Nursing
Journal, 45(2), pp.209-213.
Shamir-Inbal, T. and Blau, I., 2021. Facilitating emergency remote K-12 teaching in computing-
enhanced virtual learning environments during COVID-19 pandemic-blessing or
curse?. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 59(7), pp.1243-1271.
Sharadgah, T.A. and Sa'di, R.A., 2020. Preparedness of institutions of higher education for
assessment in virtual learning environments during the Covid-19 lockdown: Evidence
of bona fide challenges and pragmatic solutions. Journal of Information Technology
Education. Research, 19, p.755.
Solihatin and et. al., 2020. DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHING MATERIALS"
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR STUDENTS BASED ON
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Torres Martín and et. al., 2021. Impact on the virtual learning environment due to COVID-
19. Sustainability, 13(2), p.582.
Tuttle, L. and Hansen, D., 2021. Arts education in a virtual learning environment: an
introduction to the lessons, policies, budgets and practices from the COVID-19
era. Arts Education Policy Review, pp.1-2.
Zuo, L., Dillman, D. and Miller Juvé, A., 2020. Learning at home during COVID‐19: A multi‐
institutional virtual learning collaboration. Medical education, 54(7), pp.664-665.