Dissertation Writing amid Covid-19

Abstract

The Coronavirus disease has challenged and affected teachers, students, and researchers worldwide. This study reports the problems and impacts that the English language Master students experienced in writing their dissertations (at Mohamed Seddik Ben Yahia University, Jijel) amid Coronavirus pandemic and describes how they coped. A questionnaire was administered to 12 supervisors and 33 Master candidates. The Results indicate that the students faced problems like the decline in mental health and deficiency in telecommunication means, which resulted, for instance, in the tardiness of assignment completion and lower quality end-products. However, the students, teachers, and administration employed successful coping strategies and the students discovered new research techniques such as Google Form questionnaires. Consequently, this study suggests a better preparation of the Algerian students, teachers, and universities to remote education through information and communication technologies and online skill-training.