Pandemic enforcement: E-working and e-learning joined their efforts globally

Institute of Technology and Business, Okružní 517/10, 37001 České Budějovice, Czechia

^* Corresponding author: beno@mail.vstecb.cz

Abstract

Research background: E-learning and e-working collaborated on a voluntary basis for long. The global COVID-19 lockdown enforced them to a rapid worldwide transition to work, teach, and learn from home.

Purpose of the article: Our main aim is to identify the interrelations between e-learning and e-working during the pandemic period. Considering e-working as the 1st pillar and e-learning as the 2nd pillar, we ask: What structure can we build above them? What are its global features?

Methods: Our study uses a comparative analysis. We juxtapose results of a survey among 120 full-time Austrian e-workers on their experience with e-working and e-learning with one of 172 university teachers in Czech and Slovak Republic. Our findings can be applied far beyond their local frontiers.

Findings & Value added: Among the employees, 40% are facing some difficulties with face-to-display work. Only 40% of the employees would like to work at cubicles after the pandemic, 30% prefer hybrid (combination of online and on-site) and 30% full e-working. 75% of e-workers participated in online courses. 45% of them wander whether schools and universities are prepared for e-learning. 60% highlight that education system needs to invest in its ICT to be better prepared for online education; 70% recommend hybrid education as the optimal solution. 40% of them believe that online learning is more challenging compared to traditional onsite learning. Some of their suggestions contradict the opinion of university educators. A majority of them considers online education as a temporary replacement.