The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on student learning performance from the perspectives of community of inquiry

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/CG-09-2020-0419
• Published date: 11 February 2021
• Date: 11 February 2021
• Pages: 1215-1228
• Subject Matter: Strategy,Corporate governance
• Author: Consilz Tan

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on

student learning performance from the

perspectives of community of inquiry

Consilz Tan

Abstract

Purpose –This paper aims to investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on

university students during the Movement Control Order (MCO) and Recovery Movement Control Order

(RMCO). MCO was introduced in March 2020, and the learning process switched from face-to-face to online

learning in schools and universities. Subsequently, with the reduced number of daily cases and activecases

of COVID-19, the Malaysian Government implemented RMCO from 10th June to 31st December 2020,which

had more relaxation of restrictions. This study particularly focuses on students studying in higher education

institutions by analysing the impacts of the community of inquiry on students learning performance. The

construct of the communityof inquiry includes social presence, cognitive presence and teaching presence.

Design/methodology/approach –This paper provides quantitative analysis, independent sample t-

tests and multiple linear regression on the students’ learning performance using the framework of

community of inquiry.This paper presents the analysis of the online learningpreference of 282 university

studentsduring MCO and 456 students during RMCO.

Findings –The results showed that thereis a significant difference in students learning processduring

MCO and RMCO. The findings also indicated that the social presence is the most important factor in

affecting learning performance during the MCO period and it changed to teaching presence during

RMCO. Students lost motivation and could not perform well using online learning methods during the

MCO periodbut the situation improved duringRMCO.

Research limitations/implications –This research helps to identify the impact of the pandemic on

highereducation and provides insights intoreshaping the future of higher educationsystem.

Practical implications –Students are isolated fromtheir peers in the learning process and struggle to

adapt to the new normal in online learning. The teaching faculties are picking up new skills to deliver

online courses and manage the risk as best as they can. This study presented the impact of the

pandemic on students learning performance and explored the space for universities as business

organizations to provide betterinfrastructures and platforms for online learning while battling withcash

flow anddebt level during this challenging time.

Social implications –Students need peer supportand guidance from the faculty team in their learning

journey. The study provides a better understanding of how we shall promote a better higher education

environment,either blended or online learning.

Originality/value –To the best of the author’sknowledge, this is the first study to examinethe impact of

the community of inquiry on students learning performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students

suffered during theMCO period and the learning experience got betterwhen they were able to adapt to

the changes. The higher education system needs a reform and the agency theory in corporate

governanceplays an important role in the transformation.

Keywords Performance, Teaching and learning, Agency theory, COVID-19, Blended andonline learning

Paper type Research paper

1. Introduction

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created the economic shock on various

industries and causing an overwhelming impact on the economic activities because of

Consilz Tan is based at the

Xiamen University –Malaysia,

Sepang, Malaysia.

Received 17 September 2020

Revised 5 January 2021

13 January 2021

Accepted 21 January 2021

The author acknowledgedthe

contributionsof two anonymous

reviewers for theirconstructive

comments and recommendation.

The author thanksthe Editor,

Professor Gabriel Eweje for his

considerationand insightful

comments. The author

acknowledges the kind

participationof university

students in thesurvey research.

DOI 10.1108/CG-09-2020-0419 VOL. 21 NO. 6 2021, pp. 1215-1228, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1472-0701 jCORPORATE GOVERNANCE jPAGE 1215