**13. How online course benefits reflect on students**

Online education places more emphasis on the student. Unlike traditional classrooms, online learning environments offer learners more freedom and personalized learning opportunities [24]. Students who study online can do it whenever and wherever they are most at ease. They are free to study at their speed and in the time frames that work best for them and take breaks, when necessary, without disturbing other students. Students may choose how much information to take in at a time. Moreover, online education provides time for assimilation and reflection. Reviewing what they have learned, how it relates to their prior experience, and the current situation can be done at the learner's leisure [26]. Tailoring teaching to meet individual needs is possible with well-designed online courses. Courses might involve events that support and challenge all learners [24]. Deeper reflection and cooperation are fostered through online learning. Effective learning requires teamwork and reflection [26]. Additionally, online courses offer resources and areas for students to work with their professors and other students. According to Moore et al. [24], online learning allows students to think aloud without fear of criticism or interruption. People who feel

anxious about speaking up or asking questions sometimes find comfort in not being physically present in the classroom. They frequently feel bolder when they know no one in the class can see them [14]. Online conversations generally move at a moderate speed, inspiring more thoughtful replies. This is because students have adequate time to contemplate their answer to a question or how they will engage in a conversation. Additionally, the knowledge that an online chat is recorded usually encourages participants to respond with more restraint [24]. They will think more carefully about their replies and not say something that could be offensive or something that is against the law in their country.

### **14. Student perspectives on online courses**

Most students think that online courses are a great way to learn. They are very convenient and can be taken at any time [27]. Since students are in an online course, there are no distractions [2]. While some students may like the busy halls and background sounds that characterize school life, others may not be as enthusiastic about these distractions [28]. Students in traditional schooling must attend a class every day at the beginning of the sessions to grasp the concepts, but for the online courses, students can pause the instructional video or save it for future reference. Students also like the fact that they can go back and review the material as many times as they need to.

However, students also believe that online courses have downsides. One downside of online courses is that they can be very isolating. Lack of social engagement is one of the downsides of online learning. According to Sharma [23], a significant portion of the college experience involves social contact and relationships, which is essential to every student because students are social beings. This is the occasion and setting to meet new people and develop lifetime friendships. In-person group tasks are eliminated from online programs [26]. These assignments are frequently crucial in helping students improve their capacity to collaborate with others [1]. According to Oksana et al. [1], online classes make it challenging to participate in class debates and learn new viewpoints. They may not be as interactive as traditional courses. This can make it difficult to ask questions or get feedback. Additionally, they may not offer the same level of support available in a physical classroom. Another downside is that online courses can be challenging to follow if the student does not understand the material well. This can make it difficult to retain information and improve skills [27]. Finally, online courses may not be available to everyone. If you cannot access an online course, you may have to find another way to learn the material.

### **15. How the pandemic has affected opinions of online courses**

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed people's opinions toward online courses. The primary delivery mechanism for teaching during the COVID-19 epidemic has changed to online learning. COVID-19 affects people's opinions toward online courses [28]. People prefer to learn online to avoid and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Most individuals believe that as long as the globe is fighting the COVID-19 virus, online education should be prioritized. People are now more open to learning online since it is more convenient and flexible. Additionally, the pandemic has made people more aware of the importance of education and how it can help them in their careers. Therefore, the pandemic has positively influenced attitudes toward the value of

education. However, it is still too early to tell how much the pandemic will change education in the long term [29]. Many people are still resistant to taking courses online, but overall, the trend seems to be heading in a positive direction.
