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Top1. Introduction
The year 2020 has presented the world with unanticipated challenges amidst the pandemic COVID-19. The upsurge of this virus has questioned the existing way of life and practices that were believed as a routine among the individuals. Education sector is one of the many other sectors which have been impinged upon by the lockdowns due to Covid-19. In response to pandemic COVID-19, the lockdowns have been implemented in nearly every country around the world since February 2020. Consequently, 1.57 billion learners representing more than 90% of the world’s total enrolled student population suffered, due to abrupt shutting down of schools and other educational institutions (UNESCO, 2020).
Academicians, Governments and various other organizations all around the world are making efforts to evolve a robust teaching-learning methodology that benefits all the stakeholders in education sector. Therefore, the main concern was to build modalities which could bring the learning content from traditional face to face learning to at home learning. It can be observed that the educational institutions worldwide have initiated for the E-learning modalities to make education interactive and accessible to the learners. E- learning has turned out to be a most important driving force towards a better economy, society and life quality by amalgamating multiple technological services (Pinto et al.,2012).
The rapid development in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has led to a disruption in the management of learning activities in academic institutions. With the introduction of Internet Enabled Learning, multiple learning methodologies became one of the most significant factors to contribute in the learning and teaching process. It has been observed that with the application of Internet Enabled Learning and IT tools in teaching and learning methodology, the quality of education in academic institutions has improved.
The World Wide Web (WWW) and the Internet has revolutionized various aspects of our lives ranging from professional and personal networks to sources of information, learning and news. The internet has made e-learning possible and various researchers and educators are interested in online courses to improve and enhance the student learning outcomes, and overcoming diverse challenges particularly in higher education institutions (Pape, 2010). Also, surge in demand for e-learning courses from students of different demographics has been seen.
According to a study by Sherry, E-learning has been in existence for more than a century and has its roots in European correspondence courses. It is a subset of education that allows students to participate in classroom while never setting foot inside one (Sherry, 1995). One of the reasons as to why e-learning is a significant topic of discussion is that there are various benefits and applications of e-learning. Some of the vital ones are its cost effectiveness to tackle the surging costs associated with post-secondary and post graduate education, the possibility of delivering a world-class learning experience to any leaner with a broadband connection, effectiveness in educating students from different backgrounds and its utility as a professional development tool (Lorenzetti, 2013).
Studies also point out the growth in internationalization of higher education through e-learning as an educational method. Students from various geographies and demographics are taking online degrees and courses from abroad (Huynh, Umesh, & Valacich,2003; Hannon & D’Netto,2007). Many Education Institutes from US are expanding their educational territories across borders due to business and academic reasons (Bollag,2006).