Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Student Learning and Implications for Future Online Education at a Minority-Serving Institution

• Activity Number: 231 - SPEED: SPAAC SESSION I
• Type: Topic-Contributed
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 11, 2021 : 10:00 AM to 11:50 AM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Learning and Data Science
• Author(s): Sinjini Mitra* and Denise Stanley
• Companies: California State University, Fullerton and California State University, Fullerton
• Keywords: Online learning; diverse students; student preferences; challenges; support services and resources

Abstract

Since March 2020 millions of students worldwide have been forced into virtual learning modes of instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this talk, we present our research into the impact of this “forced” virtual transition on student experiences and perceptions, challenges faced, and implications for future online education. Based on the data analysis using a mixed methods approach, we present the stories of a sample of nearly 200 diverse undergraduate business students, which includes a large number of ethnic minority and first-generation students. The setting is a 4-year public university, designated as a minority serving institution, located in the western United States. Apart from challenges posed by the lack of interaction with peers and faculty, external factors (such as mental health issues, job losses, access to daycare for children, availability of a safe space devoid of distractions), create barriers to their continuing education in these challenging times. We link these student experiences and perceptions to preferences and immediate choices students make about future coursework and examine the impact on the future of online learning in higher education.