Abstract:

The Covid-19 pandemic badly hit the education sector with global calls for educational institutions to lockdown. The current study aimed to understand how Open and Distance Learning (ODL) responded to the Covid-19 pandemic in Kashmir valley and how students and teachers experienced the role of distance education in such crisis. In this qualitative study, 11 participants, including teachers and students of the Directorate of Distance Education, University of Kashmir, participated. A semi-structured questionnaire and document analysis methods were espoused for collection of data. The thematic analysis method was employed to interpret and analyze the data. This study demonstrated that the Directorate of Distance Education, University of Kashmir, played a key role in continuing higher education in Kashmir through digital and online spaces despite having limited access to high-speed internet. Furthermore, it was revealed that participants frequently used Google Meet, Google Form, Zoom, and WhatsApp during the Covid-19 pandemic because of their easy access and effective platforms for virtual learning. Non-seriousness, lack of interest, and lack of attention among participants were also found because they were not habitual in virtual teaching and learning during Covid-19. 

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