College students’ educational experiences amid COVID-19 pandemic
24 May 2021-Vol. 4, Iss: 1, pp 38-48
TL;DR: In this paper, the COVID-19 impact on higher education, with an emphasis on technology, mental health, and resources provided by the university, has been examined and recommendations for improvement are provided.
Abstract: Introduction: While lockdown and shelter-at-home strategies enforced by governments were critically needed to contain the rapid progression of the COVID-19 virus, in the U.S., hundreds of millions of learners and higher education institutions were significantly impacted with their daily operations. This study looks at the COVID-19 impact on higher education, with an emphasis on technology, mental health, and resources provided by the university. Methods: We utilized primarily qualitative research methods to assess students’ responses of our survey and examined emerging themes. We analyzed each question for word order and identified phrases and keywords students provided. Results: Our findings show that 42% of the participants did not find online education to be difficult nor did they have any technical difficulties, and this is promising for the future of virtual education. On the other hand, 58% of the students found the whole experience to be challenging, owing to a number of reasons (internet access, Blackboard knowledge, lacking motivation, and instruction related challenges). In terms of stress/anxiety levels, at least 88% of the students were stressed due to multiple factors (i.e., catching COVID-19, financial difficulties, staying engaged, finding childcare, maintaining relationships, losing family members). Interestingly, 82% of the students reported not using campus-provided virtual workshops. Conclusion: Recommendations for improvement are provided.
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TL;DR: In this paper , the authors used mixed methods to assess the perception of college students on the type of virtual learning, their opportunities for engagement and expectations of post pandemic education at a Hispanic Serving Institution.
Abstract: ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nearly all aspects of daily life, including academic experiences for college students. While studies have highlighted the various barriers to virtual learning and with many institutions adopting a mix of synchronous and asynchronous options, there is limited evidence of what is ideal for students dealing with the ongoing challenges of the pandemic. This exploratory study uses mixed methods to assess the perception of college students on the type of virtual learning, their opportunities for engagement and expectations of post pandemic education at a Hispanic Serving Institution. The findings highlight emergent themes including resources, communication, empathy, workload, and academic-life balance. Students’ voices recommend preference for hybrid as the most popular, synchronous courses over asynchronous, and suggest students’ sense of empathy for faculty, their workload substantially increased than face-to-face instruction
4 citations
12 Aug 2021
TL;DR: The authors conducted a pilot study and interviewed 55 undergraduate science students enrolled in summer school in 2019 and found that more than half of them have been vaccinated (62%) and indicated that it is important to attend classes while vaccinated (75%).
Abstract: According to WHO, one of the most effective ways to protect people against COVID-19 is with the use of vaccines. As academic institutions prepare to fully re-open in the fall of 2021 and COVID-19 vaccines being readily accessible to all ages twelve and older in the U.S., college students are also getting ready to go back to normal campus operations for traditional in-person education. This raises the need to assess students’ attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccines by identifying and addressing reasons for their hesitancy. One major threat to the impact of vaccination in preventing disease and deaths from COVID-19 is low utilization of vaccines by some groups. We conducted a pilot study and interviewed 55 undergraduate science students enrolled in summer school in 2021. The majority of the students were female, younger, Hispanic, or Latino, and at the junior or senior level. More than half of them have been vaccinated (62%) and indicated that it is important to attend classes while vaccinated (75%). While there were a variety of reasons for hesitancy ranging from lack of concern to lack of initiative, 17% of participants stated that religion played a role in their decision. Evidence-based recommendations strategies based on religion, ethical, and social implications are provided.
2 citations
Cites background from "College students’ educational exper..."
...Including students as collaborators in identifying questions and solutions to students' perceptions to barriers to vaccine acceptance might have enhanced the insights in this study (Mshigeni et al., 2021)....
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...…INTRODUCTION The significant threat to human life and health, and the rapid progression of COVID-19 globally, led governments to temporarily close educational institutions in 150 countries and resort to online delivery of education to protect students, staff, and faculty (Mshigeni et al., 2021)....
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...The significant threat to human life and health, and the rapid progression of COVID-19 globally, led governments to temporarily close educational institutions in 150 countries and resort to online delivery of education to protect students, staff, and faculty (Mshigeni et al., 2021)....
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12 Aug 2021
TL;DR: The authors conducted a pilot study and interviewed 55 undergraduate science students enrolled in summer school in 2019 and found that more than half of them have been vaccinated (62%) and indicated that it is important to attend classes while vaccinated (75%).
Abstract: According to WHO, one of the most effective ways to protect people against COVID-19 is with the use of vaccines. As academic institutions prepare to fully re-open in the fall of 2021 and COVID-19 vaccines being readily accessible to all ages twelve and older in the U.S., college students are also getting ready to go back to normal campus operations for traditional in-person education. This raises the need to assess students’ attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccines by identifying and addressing reasons for their hesitancy. One major threat to the impact of vaccination in preventing disease and deaths from COVID-19 is low utilization of vaccines by some groups. We conducted a pilot study and interviewed 55 undergraduate science students enrolled in summer school in 2021. The majority of the students were female, younger, Hispanic, or Latino, and at the junior or senior level. More than half of them have been vaccinated (62%) and indicated that it is important to attend classes while vaccinated (75%). While there were a variety of reasons for hesitancy ranging from lack of concern to lack of initiative, 17% of participants stated that religion played a role in their decision. Evidence-based recommendations strategies based on religion, ethical, and social implications are provided.
2 citations