Learning experience of accounting students during the COVID-19 pandemic: West Papuan perspectives of online learning in Indonesia

Otniel Safkaur, Jhon Urasti Blesia, Cornelia Matani, Kurniawan Patma and Pascalina Sesa

Pacific Accounting Review, 2023, vol. 35, issue 5, 839-862

Abstract: Purpose - This study aims to examine the learning experiences of indigenous West Papuan students studying accounting in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach - A qualitative approach was taken with 25 indigenous accounting students at five universities in the region who shared testimonies of their online learning experiences. The interview data collected were analysed using initial and selective coding and then interpreted under several themes. Findings - The paper shows the personal, faculty and external challenges in indigenous students’ learning activities during university closures because of COVID-19. The interrelated challenges included students’ struggles to adapt their learning habits when using various online applications, difficulties in understanding how the faculty managed lectures, tutorials and evaluations without adequate access to learning materials, the lack of a learning infrastructure, issues with equipment, and obtaining internet data credits. Students’ economic struggles and health issues exacerbated these challenges. While enduring various struggles and being frustrated about their future, all students expected a change in offline learning policies by the government to lessen their strict physical distancing. Research limitations/implications - The findings can inform the importance of integrating accounting students’ learning challenges and needs into curriculum development. Originality/value - This study highlights the learning challenges of indigenous accounting students during the COVID-19 pandemic and how approaches to online learning need to consider the experience of these students.

Keywords: Learning experiences; Indigenous students; Accounting; Higher education institution; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.110 ... d&utm_campaign=repec (text/html)
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.110 ... d&utm_campaign=repec (application/pdf)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:parpps:par-04-2022-0053

DOI: 10.1108/PAR-04-2022-0053

Access Statistics for this article

Pacific Accounting Review is currently edited by Professor Tom Scott, Dr Pei-Chi Kelly Hsiao, Associate Professor Chelsea Liu, Associate Professor Sophia Su, Associate Professor Thu Phuong Truong and Dr Lily Chen

More articles in Pacific Accounting Review from Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Emerald Support ().