Teaching and Assessment through Online Platforms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Benefits and Challenges

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has compelled education systems across globe to fully embrace online learning as an alternative face-to-face classes. This resulted in a paradigm shift, which teaching and assessment practices continue gain prominence at tertiary level. Hence, this study explores lecturers' strategies for university students through platforms during pandemic. used framework SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities, threats) analysis its theoretical base. Data was collected semi-structured interviews with five lecturers from three universities Gauteng Province, South Africa. data analysed using content analysis. found that were able manage processes school restrictions, combination such Blackboard-collaborate, WhatsApp, Kahoot, Google Classroom. findings also revealed wide variety methodologies, including small group work, collaborative learning, case methods, discussion posts, multiple choice quizzes, chats, game activities, open-ended questions, essays utilized on these platforms. Although methodologies assessing require additional preparation time, they help increase interaction between enable immediate grading scripts student feedback. Further is highly susceptible test/examination malpractices. provided recommendations helpful policymakers, lecturers, regarding strategies.