Exploring Sultan Qaboos University Students' Perceptions and Challenges: Unveiling the Realities of Asynchronous Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study investigates how Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) students view the AOL as a result of the quick shift to the asynchronous online learning (AOL) mode during the COVID-19 dissemination in February 2020. To assess students' perceptions toward AOL, a self-administered questionnaire and 494 students were used. Students were given 9 statements, both favorable and negative. Each statement was graded on a five-point scale (strongly disagree (1), disagree (2), neural (neither agree nor disapprove) (3), agree (4), and strongly agree (5)). An internet-based survey was created to obtain student feedback on AOL. The majority of student participants disagreed that the AOL was more convenient, flexible, satisfying, or a fantastic learning tool than a face-to-face classroom. The majority of respondents believed that the AOL technique would result in less peer collaboration, lower mood, motivation, and capacity to focus, as well as learning problems. The vast majority of them also stated that the AOL hindered their academic development and knowledge while having little impact over them. The majority of students opposed utilizing AOL at college and favored face-to-face training over AOL mode. Students' opinions, experiences, and preferences on the AOL at SQU were dissatisfying due to a lack of intrinsic and extrinsic academic motivation. As a result, SQU students lack the resources needed to learn the AOL method. Based on these findings, there is a chance to improve students' attitudes, acceptability, and motivation for academic online learning systems by including effective learning techniques and upgrading network and internet access architecture.