Online higher education has seen significant transformations in recent years, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A comparative approach to understanding the drivers, trends, and challenges in online learning reveals a shift from pre-pandemic to post-pandemic periods. Before COVID-19, online education was seen as a supplementary option for non-traditional students, driven by technological advancements and demands for flexibility. However, the pandemic created a fast adoption of online platforms, making digital learning a central feature of higher education. This shift has shown greater academic accessibility and global reach, but reveals pressing challenges related to digital equity, quality of education, and student engagement. Examining these issues may highlight the evolving nature of online higher education and provides a framework for understanding its future trajectory.
Comparative Approach to Drivers, Trends, and Challenges in Online Higher Education: Pre- and Post-COVID-19 explores new strategies and challenges in global online higher education. It offers insights into the motivations behind technological adoption in universities, the obstacles faced, and emerging trends across various regions. This book covers topics such as data science, digital technology, and blended learning, and is a useful resource for educators, computer engineers, academicians, researchers, and scientists.