International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Soujanya Kotte, Madhu Babu K, Venu Gopala Reddy Ch, Malla Reddy M and Srinivasa Chary D

abstract
The present study adopted an Ex-post facto research design to assess the constraints faced by teachers and students during the online teaching-learning process in Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU), Telangana, during the 2020-21 academic year. The research was conducted across six agricultural colleges offering B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture programs. The study sample included 80 teachers, comprising 47 Assistant Professors, 14 Associate Professors, and 19 Professors, along with 240 students representing the 2019 and 2020 admitted batches. A proportionate random sampling technique was employed to ensure adequate representation from all selected colleges. The data collection instrument, designed to capture the experiences during online teaching-learning, underwent reliability testing using Cronbach’s alpha, yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.82, indicating a high level of internal consistency. Following pre-testing, ten major constraints were identified for both teachers and students. These were subsequently ranked using Garrett’s ranking technique, which enabled the computation of mean scores and prioritization. Among teachers, the most pressing constraints included technical issues, digital incomprehensibility, and students’ hesitation to interact, followed by increased workload, lack of proper assessment tools, and difficulty in assessing student understanding. Students reported lack of proper digital devices, poor internet connectivity, and inadequate technical skills as primary challenges, alongside limited interaction with teachers, lack of motivation for self-learning, distractions at home, and cognitive fatigue. The findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced digital infrastructure, improved technical support, pedagogical innovations, and psychosocial interventions to create an inclusive, engaging, and effective online learning environment for agricultural education.