THE EDUCATIONAL PATHWAY POST-COVID-19: A COMPARISON OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE BETWEEN TRADITIONAL AND ONLINE CLASSROOMS FOR SERVICE INDUSTRY STUDENTS

Abstract

This research focuses on studying the behaviors and impacts of the pandemic on the learning outcomes of students in the service industry faculty following the effects of the COVID-19 situation and comparing the academic achievements between behaviors in normal classroom learning and online learning outside the classroom. This quantitative study utilized a questionnaire as a research tool, targeting 462 students from the Faculty of Service Industry at Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen campus. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).

The findings revealed that the learning behavior of students in the service industry faculty was significantly high (average score of 3.98), and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their learning was also considered substantial (average score of 4.01). There was a statistically significant difference at the 0.05 level in academic achievements between normal classroom learning behaviors and online learning outside the classroom. The results indicated that students were highly motivated in their studies and exhibited positive learning behaviors. The presence of both types of learning behaviors significantly influenced on the academic achievements of students differently. From these findings, it became the evident that understanding the behaviors and impacts of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic on students was crucial. This understanding will be beneficial for the further development of more effective teaching and learning systems. The adaptive challenges presented by the pandemic have necessitated an urgent reevaluation of educational strategies to ensure continuity and effectiveness in learning. The transition to online learning, while challenging, has also opened avenues for innovation in pedagogical approaches and technology integration.