Assessing Students’ Acceptance and Challenges in using Google Classroom as an E-learning Platform at Shari Higher Secondary School, Paro

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic had affected Education system around the world. Bhutan also closed down its academic institutions for around 4 months after detection of the first COVID-19 patient. Ministry of Education rolled up the idea of using online forum as an instructional tool to ensure the continuity of education. Besides many available platform, Shari Higher Secondary School decided to use Google Classroom as an instrument for online teaching learning process. Hand-on training were given to both the teachers and students on the usage of G-suite Moodle focusing on Google Classroom. This study attempted to assess students’ perception on the acceptance and challenges of using Google Classroom tool. An online survey based on 5-point Likert scale saw 219 students responding. The survey included statements of agreement on acceptance and challenges dimension. A follow up interview was also sought from few participants. SPSS was used to compute both descriptive and inferential statistics that include mean scores, one sample t-test, and correlation. It was found that students were ready to accept the Google Classroom based online teaching and learning notwithstanding the few challenges that they face.