Attitudes of Students of the Faculty of Mass Communication at Yarmouk University towards Using Video platforms in Distance Education

Abstract

Despite the gigantic challenges raised by the Covid-19 pandemic, coping with them is a remarkable approach in the history of mankind. Especially in terms of education, stakeholders and policymakers are taking every possible effort to satisfy both instructors and students effectively. For this purpose, several online platforms such as Zoom, Moodle, Skype, and others are offering technology-enhanced learning. The current article also examines the students' attitudes towards Zoom Application as a source of Distance Learning. The researchers employed experimental design and selected n= 251 students from the Faculty of Mass Communication, Yarmouk University Irbid, Jordan. To broadly validate the presumed relationships, the researchers employed the Structure Equation Modelling technique. Findings showed that due to greater accessibility and usability, students are optimistically accepting Zoom Applications for Distance Learning purposes. Despite many respondents also expressed some challenges regarding the Zoom Application, all the participants acknowledge this Application is one of the best platforms regarding technology-enhanced learning. Thus, the researchers concluded that Zoom is the most preferred Application for eLearning during the current pandemic. However, there is another important application as well, that should be highlighted to examine their aspects as a source of the crisis management system.