Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

Exploring Public Sentiment on Online Learning During Covid-19: A Twitter-based Analysis

Yang YangSchool of Journalism and Culture Communication, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China* Shiyu ZhangSteinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human, New York University, New York, USA Wenting LinDepartment of Digital Humanities, King's College London, London, United Kingdom Ting WenCollege of Literature and Journalism, Chongqing College of Humanities, Science & Technology, Chongqing, China

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

This study investigates the evolution of public sentiment toward online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing Twitter data collected between April 2020 and December 2021. By using MDCOR for topic identification and SENA for sentiment analysis, the study examined changes in affective responses across major online learning platforms including Zoom, Udemy, Canvas and Coursera. It was observed that positive emotions were most prominent in the early stages of the pandemic, as online learning became crucial due to social distancing. However, while platforms relying on synchronous interactions, such as Zoom, were associated with negative emotions like frustration and fatigue, more flexible, skill-based platforms like Coursera and Udemy consistently received favorable feedback. The findings reveal the varied emotional responses to different online learning features, providing insights into the factors shaping user experience. These insights can inform the future development of online learning platforms and strategies aimed at improving educational effectiveness.

Keywords: Online learning; COVID-19; Data analysis; Social media; Twitter
Published: June 6, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2024.23614
Volume: CHR Vol.68
pp. 124-143
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