Digital Skills & Research Methods Assessment: Virtual Learning Impact

This report investigates the impact of virtual learning environments (VLEs) on students, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It begins with an introduction to the importance of continuous learning and the rise of virtual learning, followed by a rationale for the study and defined research objectives and questions. A comprehensive literature review defines VLEs, exploring their characteristics, importance, and advantages for student development and learning. The report then examines the impact of VLEs during the pandemic, highlighting the shift to online learning. The research methodology includes deductive approach, positivism research philosophy, primary data collection via questionnaires, and secondary data from the internet and journals. A simple random sample of 30 participants was used. The primary data analysis section presents the questionnaire results, interpreting the responses to assess awareness, benefits, and preferred methods of virtual learning. The findings reveal that most respondents are aware of VLEs and find them beneficial, particularly for time management and flexibility. The report concludes by synthesizing the findings and discussing the implications of VLEs on students during the pandemic.

Digital Skills &
Research Methods
Assessment Component 2

Title
To study the impact of Virtual Learning Environment on the students during the Covid-19
Pandemic time”
INTRODUCTION
Learning is everywhere and it is important to maintain the knowledge level of each and
every individual. Learning can help to create the effective knowledge and skills which can useful
for the overall development of the people. On the basis of current situation, virtual learning
taking the massive place in the society and everyone are taking virtual leaning as per their
comfort zone. Virtual learning mainly utilised by various institutions & collages that provide the
easy learning which can create the clear understanding of students & keeps them up to date with
the latest information. It can help to reduce the barriers and provide the effective learning to each
and every individual. This learning can provide the continuous progress to the people and
students and this kind of learning is mainly recommended by the student & provide some
positive response so that everyone can us virtual learning effectively. This report will discuss
about the impact of virtual learning on the students during pandemic time and this report also use
via questionnaire and data analysis to find out the outcome.
Rationale
The main motive of present report is to analyse the affect of virtual leaning for the
students and also evaluate the significance of virtual learning environment for development of
the students. The present research, identify the benefits of the virtual learning for the student
which can help in the development and improve their learning standard.
Research Objectives
 To understand the concept of Virtual Learning environment.
 To analyse the significance of Virtual Learning Environment in the development &
learning of students.
 To determine the impact of Virtual Learning Environment during Covid 19 Pandemic
situation.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of Virtual Learning environment?

 What is the significance of Virtual Learning Environment in the development & learning
of students?
 What is the impact of Virtual Learning Environment during Covid 19 Pandemic
situation?
Literature Review
Concept of Virtual Learning Environment
According to Emarkable, (2018), Virtual learning environment is considered as the online
educational platform that can help to provide the easily access with the use of internet. It is also
considered as the digital platform in which learner can learn various things in the educational
institutions. Educational institutions are responsible to provide the resources and arrange various
appropriate coerces through online media which can help in the development of the students.
There are numerous stages & assessment are available that can help to maintain the performance
of the students. Virtual learning mainly adopted by all higher education institution so that they all
the students can take class and improves their knowledge in their respective place. Computerized
learning system also considered as the electronic & educational technology and learning
management system that can help in e-learning (Aluja-Banet, Sancho and Vukic,2017). The
virtual learning environment system mainly depend upon on integrated web based technologies
and applications that gives learners, parents & teachers who are mainly involved in the
education. Virtual learning environment mainly contain of various factors which involves
syllabus of course, it generally provide administration and technological information such as
credits, registration etc. a notice board as per the current courses running, course for the distance
learning applications, communication such as emails, audio, video, online chat and
presentations etc., Conduct interactive classes and sessions with white board & projector for the
online classes and maintain management for various rights of teachers, students & assistants of
teachers , submission & presentation of the assignment and projects by students. Virtual learning
system can take huge place during lockdown period when everyone stay their home and maintain
social distancing properly. Now it can take place in everyone life and become the student centred
system. Virtual learning is responsible to maintain all the requirement of the students easily with
one click. The materials mainly provided through computerized formatting like lectures, notes &
assessment modules. All the students can access the portal and forum where student can easily
send e-mail to their concerned teacher and faculty members & make clear doubt. Learner and

students can simply discuss about anything that is related to subject, chapter and education.
Student's can get e-mail id that is considered the appropriate identity of the students. Student can
easily access it 24 hours to study the learning material and access all the educational information
about the assignment and exam (Černochová and et.al., 2020).
Importance of Virtual Learning Environment for the development & learning of students
According to Margaret Rouse, (2019), Virtual learning environment is a digital platform
that can help to provide the digital knowledge to each and every student. Now virtual learning
can provide the environment in which students can comfortably learn new skills and knowledge
and improve their learning and enhance their personal development. with the help of virtual
learning , students can boost their efficiency level and also maintain high capabilities. Students
can take virtual learning through various medium like computer, internet, online classes,
YouTube and other online institution classes. Virtual learning can provide various resources
through which student can create their career path and develop their knowledge on the basis of of
their interested area and field. With the help of virtual learning, student it can gain more
knowledge as compared to the normal learning because virtual learning provide various
resources which can help to make there concept clear and their basic knowledge about any topic
will become strong. Anyone can take virtual learning in their suitable languages which create
good understanding about the topic (Dascalu and et. al., 2015). This learning also provides
various opportunities to the students so they can make their career in which field that they are
preparing for. Virtual learning considered the most flexible way to resolve any problem and it is
also helpful to ask any doubt and question in their convenient time period. Through virtual
learning, can provide classroom type knowledge and also conduct sessions timely so students can
take online classes live or can download the class and watch on their suitable time period. Virtual
education environment considered as the comfortable platform for the students in which they can
gain knowledge like a classroom Education.
Impact of Virtual Learning Environment during Covid 19 Pandemic situation
According to William McCoy, (2019), as per the current scenario, virtual learning is
necessary because the uncertainty of this pandemic provide the adverse impact on the working
and living of the people. Pandemic affected each and every department and provided harmful
effect on the health of the people across the whole world. To avoid the worst impact of this
pandemic and prevent themselves, people preferred to stay their home and follow all the

guidelines that provided by the government. Due to lockdown period , people used to stay their
home and maintain social distancing so that time whole industry's affected and education system
also experienced many challenges and then people started to virtual learning that time virtual
learning environment take massive place in every learners life. Now students are fully depend on
the virtual learning because they can learn whenever they want and shape their knowledge and
skills properly (Fowler, 2015).
Research Methodology
Research is an investigation of new facts and figures that can help to identify the specific
knowledge about any particular areas and facts. Research methodology is a Strategic framework
that uses various methods to conduct the research successful. There are various steps involved in
the research methodology which are useful to carry out this research.
 Research approach - Research approach refers as a plan and procedures of the research
that can follow all the research assumption in detail methods and help to analyze by the
data collection, data analysis and interpretation. There are two types of research approach
like inductive & deductive research approaches both approach are prominent. To carry
out this research , deductive approach considered because it use quantitative methods to
analyze the data and take less time as compared to inductive approach
 Research Philosophy - Research philosophy is necessary because it can help to generate
the significance value in the research. There are two types of research philosophy
considered like positivism & interpretation, both philosophy are essential in context of
research. To carry out present research, researcher use positivism research philosophy
which can help to provide the valid information so that it will make easy to frame an
effective outcome (Hecker and Loprest, 2019).
 Data collection - Data collection is the crucial part of the research and it is essential to
collect data from the valid resources. Data collection helps to find out the most possible
conclusion that can help to create the more value of the research. Beseecher can collect
data from two method like primary data collections methods and secondary data
collection method (Sousa and Rocha,2019). Through primary data collection, research
can gather data through survey, questionnaire, interview and observations methods and
with the help of secondary method research can collect data from journal, article, website
and books. To carry out this research, researcher used both primary and secondary

method. For primary method researcher used questionnaire and for secondary research,
internet and journal are considered.
 Sampling - Sampling refers as process that use statistical analysis to predetermine the
number of various observation from the population. Sampling can help to target and
select the audience from the large population. There are two types of sampling considered
like probability and non probability sampling. To carry out this present study, simple
random sample used because it take less and provide the effective results. The sample
size of this study considered 30.
Primary Data Analysis
This is considered as the first handed or original data that provide accurate and reliable
research outcome. The analysis of primary data done through questionnaire methods which are
explained below -
Q1) Are you aware about the concept of Virtual
Learning Environment?
Frequency
A) Yes 22
B) No 8
A) Yes B) No
0
5
10
15
20
25 22
8
Frequency
Frequency

Interpretation – From this research analysis it is identified that out of 30 respondents overall 22
respondents responded that they are aware about the concpet of virtual learning and only 8
respondents responded negatively.
Q2) According to you, is virtual learning
environment beneficial for the students?
Frequency
A) Yes 26
B) No 4
A) Yes B) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30 26
4
Frequency
Frequency
Interpretation – From this analysis it can be measured that 26 respondents responded that
virtual learning environment beneficial for the students and only 4 respondents responded
negatively.

Q3) which are the most appropriate benefit of
virtual learning environment in context of
students?
Frequency
A) Time Management 11
B) Instant Feedback 5
C) Cost Saving 4
D) Flexibility in classes 10
A) Time Management
B) Instant Feedback
C) Cost Saving
D) Flexibility in classes
0
2
4
6
8
10
12 11
5 4
10
Frequency
Frequency
Interpretation – From this investigation it is analyzed that 11 respondents responded that time
management is the most appropriate benefit of virtual learning environment and 5 responded that
it provide instant feedback. 10 respondents agreed that they can take class on their suitable time.

Q4) What is the most useful method that can be
utilised for the development of the students
learning?
Frequency
A) Full time learning 10
B) Flexible learning 13
C) Part time learning 7
A) Full
time
learning
B) Flexible
learning C) Part
time
learning
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
10
13
7
Frequency Frequency
Interpretation – Out of 30 respondents, overall 10 respondents responded that full time learning
is the most useful methods that can be used by the learner for the development. 13 respondents
respondents, virtual learning is provide the flexible learning methods. only 7 respondents
responded that part time learning.

Secondary Data Analysis
To carry out this research, secondary data collected by the internet, journals and articles.
Literature review mainly done by the researcher on the basis of in-depth understanding about the
topic.
CONCLUSION
As per this report it can be concluded that virtual learning is taking the wider place and play
a prominent part to enhance the learning of the students. Most of the colleges and universities
adopt virtual learning which can help to shape the career of the learner. Virtual learning is
beneficial and provides flexibility in learning process.