A comparative analysis of COVID-19 pandemic effects on students’ academic performance in higher education sector

Purpose This study aims to focus on exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the students’ academic performance in Jordanian higher education during the outbreak of the pandemic, evaluating the e-learning education and evaluating online education in practical lessons during the pandemic according to the university type, educational level, academic year and different specializations or faculty. Design/methodology/approach This study provides quantitative and qualitative analysis on the students’ e-learning performance during the pandemic. It presents the analysis of online learning preference of 424 questionnaires and 85 structured interviews with the university’s students and examines whether there is significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their academic performance. Findings The findings of this study present evidence of students’ improvement in their academic performance and lend credence to the notion that organizational characteristics may play a role in the adaptation of emergency remote teaching. This was evident that more scientific-based faculties (engineering, pharmaceutical and medicine) faced more challenges during the pandemic, and it negatively influenced students’ performance. This was justifiable to the need for a more practical one-to-one interaction and integration. Originality/value The findings of this research present evidence of students’ improvement in their academic performance and lend credence to the notion that organizational characteristics may play a role in the adaptation of emergency remote teaching. This was evident that more scientific-based faculties (engineering, pharmaceutical and medicine) faced more challenges during the pandemic and it negatively influenced students’ performance. This was justifiable to the need for a more practical one-to-one interaction and integration.