Navigating the New Normal: A Thematic Review of Reimagining Online Higher Education for a Post-Pandemic World

Author(s) : Imdad Ullah Khan*, Sana Gul**, Kamal Saeed***

Abstract:

Higher education has undergone a transformation over the past decade, and online education is increasingly becoming an important part of academic education. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated this change and brought online higher education to the forefront. This article provides a conceptual analysis of online education from 2013 to the present, focusing on best practices in higher education. The current article traces the evolution of online higher education and highlights key milestones that reflect the impact of the pandemic. This thematic review identifies key elements of best practice in online higher education to scrutinize educational rethinking, technological innovation, and institutional adaptation. The research review reveals the need to redesign courses, increase student engagement, implement strong assessment strategies, and support diverse learning styles in virtual environments. The research reviewed in this article indicate that the development of policies that are appropriate for the new online higher education environment depends on faculty support and institutional alignment. Continuous rethinking is necessary to satisfy the changing demands of institutions and students, particularly in the field of online education in Pakistan. The article concludes with implication of the online digital education for the structuring and reimagining of education in the current era.
Key Words: COVID-19, post-pandemic, online higher education, innovations, technology, digital accessibility, faculty development, equity, social justice