Challenges and Strategies for Online Teaching in Information Technology and Other Computing Programs

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic significantly disrupted the educational landscape nationwide by forcing the widespread closure of institutions from elementary to tertiary levels. With the closure of institutions, programs which typically relied on face-to-face interactions to deliver content were abruptly demanded to switch to online-based education. This upheaval has spawned unique challenges in delivering content for various subjects and disciplines. Particularly in the delivery of technical programs such as information technology and other computing disciplines, the unexpected shift to online classes introduced significant challenges. The inability to interact directly with instructors and peers endangers students? ability to master much of the intricate and abstract concepts in computing courses. Further, students and faculty find themselves socially isolated and neither may be properly prepared for online teaching and learning. Strategies incorporating the use of learning management systems, web conferencing software, and open-source software can, nonetheless, be adopted to mitigate the challenges in the teaching and learning of information technology and other computing courses. This paper discusses some of the challenges that have arisen in the online teaching and learning of these courses. It also details some strategies that will possibly contribute to mitigating these challenges.