Managing COVID-19 Challenges in Online Teaching: The Case of the Algerian Experience within the Global Context

This study aims to investigate the strategies employed by lecturers to navigate the challenges of teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic in higher education institutions in Algeria and around the globe. It focuses on the actions, good practices, reactions, and measures adopted by lecturers to address the challenges posed by the pandemic. The main question explores how Algerian lecturers dealt with this crisis compared with other global experiences. This study is based on two surveys conducted in 2020 and 2021: a quantitative survey of Algerian lecturers and a qualitative comparative survey involving lecturers from various countries. The quantitative study assesses the experiences and perception of Algerian lecturers, while the qualitative study, conducted through an interview guide, explores and contrasts the experiences of lecturers from different countries in response to the pandemic. The findings reveal that Algeria, along with other countries, swiftly adopted online teaching in response to the crisis, transitioning from entirely online to a hybrid mode of teaching. Despite initial challenges, many Algerian lecturers demonstrated adaptability and resilience in navigating this new mode of teaching. However, the study underscores the need for ongoing support and training programs to equip lecturers with proficiency in using digital tools. Additionally, it highlights the increasing prominence of online teaching as a main method of courses delivery, suggesting its potential as a sustainable solution to accommodate the anticipated increase in student enrolment.