scholarly journals Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Self-Isolation on Students and Staff in Higher Education: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10675
Author(s):  
Holly Knight ◽  
Sophie Carlisle ◽  
Mórna O’Connor ◽  
Lydia Briggs ◽  
Lauren Fothergill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Online Education ◽  
University Students ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
University Life ◽  
Social Restriction ◽  
The Impact

This qualitative study explored the impact of COVID-19 self-isolation and social restriction measures on university students, through the perspectives of both students and the staff supporting them. The study comprised 11 focus groups (students) and 26 individual interviews (staff) at a higher education institution in England during a period of national lockdown (January–March 2021). Participants were university students (n = 52) with self-isolation experiences and university staff (n = 26) with student-facing support roles. Focus group and interview data were combined and analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Four themes emerged: ‘Adaptation during the pandemic’, ‘Practical, environmental, and emotional challenges of self-isolating’, ‘Social factors and their impact on COVID-19 testing and self-isolation adherence’, and ‘Supporting self-isolation’. Students and staff struggled with the imposed restrictions and shift to online education. Students found it difficult to adapt to new expectations for university life and reported missing out on professional and social experiences. Students and staff noted concerns about the impact of online teaching on educational outcomes. Students endorsed varied emotional responses to self-isolation; some felt unaffected whilst others experienced lowered mood and loneliness. Students were motivated by pro-social attitudes; campaigns targeting these factors may encourage continued engagement in protective behaviours. Staff struggled to manage their increased workloads delivering support for self-isolating students. Universities must consider the support needs of students during self-isolation and prepare for the long-term impacts of the pandemic on student wellbeing and educational attainment. Greater support should be provided for staff during transitional periods, with ongoing monitoring of workforce stress levels warranted.

Psychological, Pedagogical and Drganizational Peculiarities of the Development of Students’ Volitional Qualities as a Factor of Success in Learning

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadiia Vientseva ◽  
◽  
Oleva Karapetrova
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
University Students ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Educational Material ◽  
Academic Achievements ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Development Of Students

The article reports the results of the empirical study of the impact of volitional qualities development on the level of academic achievements of higher education institution students. The article gives a theoretical analysis of the main types of volitional qualities that affect the assimilation of educational material by students. There was established the level of their development and the relationship with academic achievements. The article also identifies the main psycho-pedagogical and organizational peculiarities that affect the success of mastering the knowledge by university students. The psychological and pedagogical recommendations for forming, developing and supporting the volitional sphere of students are developed.

scholarly journals Where do Graduates Develop Their Enterprise Skills?

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 435-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deema Refai ◽  
John Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Education And Employment ◽  
The Impact

This paper reports on an investigation into the value of the contribution of the higher education institution (HEI) context in developing graduates' enterprise skills. The study was an exploration of where graduates develop enterprise skills, examining the impact of the higher education and employment contexts on the development of these skills. The paper draws on a qualitative study in which interviews were conducted with pharmacy academics and employers. The results show that an ability to demonstrate skills in one context does not necessarily indicate an ability to demonstrate them in another, because the development and demonstration of enterprise skills are influenced by the contexts in which they are developed and demonstrated. The study adds value by highlighting the significant role of both the HE and employment contexts in developing enterprise skills, while emphasizing that these skills become more transferable through exposure to more contexts.

scholarly journals Expectations and Experiences With Online Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic in University Students

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla Lobos ◽  
Rubia Cobo-Rendón ◽  
Javier Mella-Norambuena ◽  
Alejandra Maldonado-Trapp ◽  
Carolyn Fernández Branada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Education ◽  
University Students ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Virtual Education ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Low Expectations ◽  
Health Sciences Students

Due to COVID-19, university students continued their academic training remotely. To assess the effects of emergency remote teaching (ERT), we evaluated the expectations and, subsequently, the experiences of university students about online education. This study employed a simple prospective design as its method. We assessed the expectations of 1,904 students from different discipline areas (1,106 women and 798 men; age M = 21.56; SD = 3.07) during the beginning of the first semester, March 2020 (T1), and their experiences at the end of the same academic period, September 2020 (T2). We used convenience non-probability sampling. Participants responded to the questionnaire on Expectations toward virtual education in higher education for students and the questionnaire on virtual education experiences in higher education. The results showed that students’ responses reflected low expectations regarding peer relationships and comparison with face-to-face education (T1). This perception was maintained during the evaluation of experiences (T2). Students reported positive experiences regarding online teaching and learning, online assessment, and their self-efficacy beliefs at T2. Statistically significant differences between measurements were found, with the expertise presenting higher averages than expectations. Furthermore, differences by gender were identified, reporting a positive change in the scores of women. In addition, results reflected differences according to the disciplinary area, showing Social Sciences and Medical and Health Sciences students a more significant size effect. Findings regarding the empirical evidence and the implications for future teaching scenarios in Higher Education are discussed.

scholarly journals A Study on the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in African Universities

2021 ◽  
pp. 208-212
Author(s):  
Elijah Isanda Omwenga ◽  
Peter M. F. Mbithi ◽  
John N. Muthama ◽  
John Mwarabu Chone
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
University Students ◽  
Education System ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
The Impact

This paper presents a study on how University students, lecturers, administrators and managers perceive the impacts of the of COVID-19 crisis on various aspects of University teaching and learning in Africa, and particularly in Kenya. The sudden closure of campuses as a preventive measure to community transmission shifted face-to-face classes to virtual learning modes. With a sample of 1,236 University students and staff from 18 universities in Kenya and Nigeria, the study reveals that amid the worldwide lockdown and transition to online learning, expectation by 44% of the students were met. Students were mainly concerned about issues to do with internet connectivity, computing devices and electrical power. In addition, utilising e-Learning tools and platforms for effective student engagement posed limitations of accessibility and affordability for many students. The teaching staff on the other hand were mainly concerned with access to the teaching resources, conducting online teaching, capacity to handle the online mode of teaching, devices and eContent development. The pandemic has exposed the shortcomings of the current higher education system and the need for enhanced policy formulation and implementation on digital infrastructure to adapt to the rapidly changing education ecosystem of the world. In the post-pandemic situation, the use of eLearning and virtual education may become an integral part of the higher education system. Key factors influencing students’ satisfaction with the role of their University are also identified as internet access, quality of e-content and e-content development. Policymakers, stakeholders and higher education institutions in Africa may benefit from these findings while formulating policy recommendations and strategies to support University teaching and learning during this and any future pandemics. Universities need to plan the post-pandemic education and research strategies to ensure student learning outcomes and standards of educational quality.

scholarly journals “From the Initial Steps to the Concept of Online Education” – Teacher Experiences and Development Directions Based on Feedback from Online Education Introduced During the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-48
Author(s):  
Mónika Rajcsányi-Molnár ◽  
Anetta Bacsa-Bán
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Teaching Concept ◽  
Teaching Paradigm ◽  
Teaching Learning

The pandemic situation caused by COVID-19 has challenged the education system, not only in Hungary, but everywhere in the world. The use of information and communication technology in education, including higher education, has transformed students' expectations and, at the same time, redefined the role of the online educator. This is because online teaching and learning is significantly different from teaching-learning in a traditional environment, and educators need to rethink their role in the learning and teaching paradigm. Our higher education institution has developed a new learning-teaching concept based on the experience of distance education introduced as a result of the pandemic situation. The research described in the study and the corresponding developments are shared as good practice for other higher education institutions.

scholarly journals Moving from Face-to-Face to Remote Instruction in a Higher Education Institution during a Pandemic: Multiple Case Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 370-383
Author(s):  
Ladan Ghazi-Saidi ◽  
Aliisa Criffield ◽  
Carrie L. Kracl ◽  
Miechelle McKelvey ◽  
Sharon N. Obasi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Previous Experience ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Remote Learning

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, our institution, like others in higher education, suspended face- to-face classes and offered remote learning as an alternative.  We report five cases of undergraduate and graduate courses that transitioned from a face-to-face to a remote mode. Each case will provide a detailed description of how the course was moved to an online mode, how the course was managed, the instructors’ previous experience in online teaching, their self-reflection on the process of transitioning to remote learning and their recommendations for a more successful experience in a similar potential scenario in the future.  Further, we report the students’ perspectives based on their responses to an online survey.  The combined results of the cases reported in this study reflect the resilience on both sides. A sudden shutdown of the university along with disease- related fears caused anxiety both for the students and instructors regardless of previous experience in online education. However, having online material pre-pandemic, possessing the technical skills, and previous online teaching or learning experience as well as having the infrastructure in place, facilitated the smooth navigation of the courses. The mode of delivery of the course (synchronous, asynchronous or blended) did not have an effect on students’ satisfaction.

scholarly journals Academic libraries in COVID-19: a renewed mission for digital literacy

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantina Martzoukou
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Library Science ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has placed online learning, blended or hybrid provision as the “new normal” in Higher Education. For most universities and their academic libraries, especially those with a less strong online presence, the pandemic has caused numerous challenges. However, it has also been a catalyst for change and resifting of priorities. For academic librarians involved in the delivery of information skills/literacy training, a renewed mission is emerging, addressing access and connectivity to resources, designing for online education and fostering the development of digital literacy of students.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual paper based on the author's personal experiences and subjective opinion as a Library and Information Science educator with considerable expertise in online distance learning in the UK. Reflecting critically on the impact of the pandemic from an educational point of view and on key changes experienced, the paper centres on the argument that academic librarians could emerge as strategic partners in Higher Education, towards the direction of enhancing students' digital competences development.FindingsThe complete and involuntary shift to online learning due to COVID-19 restrictions has opened the door to multiple challenges in Higher Education, which are complex and ongoing: the implementation of remote tools and practices en masse in online teaching and learning in a way that ensures accessibility and equity for all, issues connecting to online pedagogy and how to prepare students with the information and digital literacy competences required for the new online learning “normal”. As academic libraries move forward, they have a renewed mission to help learners in the online space to become both information rich and digitally competent. There is an opportunity to act as the connecting link that will help to move a step forward a strategic vision that places design for equity at the centre of education.Originality/valueThe impact of COVID-19 within Higher Education and academic libraries more specifically, is a theme that has not been yet sufficiently discussed, researched or critically debated as the world is still currently going through the pandemic crisis. This paper aims to initiate some early thoughts and conversation, as well as put forward the author's personal critical positioning on the issues, challenges and potential opportunities, emerging in the current educational climate for academic librarians, and to highlight areas of importance for the design and direction of information and library science curricula.

scholarly journals Sexual Harassment in a Higher Education Institution

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 210
Author(s):  
Renán Jesús García-Hernández ◽  
Julita Elemí Hernández-Sánchez ◽  
Verónica García-Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
University Students ◽  
Learned Helplessness ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Gender Violence ◽  
Equivalence Test ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Special Language

Sexual harassment is a type of gender violence, which is generally naturalized and rarely reported. The aim of this qualitative study was to analyze the experiences of female university students who have been victims of sexual harassment. The intentional sample consisted of 10 participants between the ages of 22 and 24 years from a university in the southeast of Mexico. Interviews were analyzed through different categories, such as the perception of the interviewee, about the harassment, the consequences, and facing the event. The analysis was based on the QSR 6 (NVivo) software. It was found that students perceive harassment as something normal and even romantic, but subsequently there are feelings of humiliation and guilt. Those who reported the incident did not obtain help, in all of them there was a feeling of learned helplessness. In addition, harasser professors have a special language to communicate when they want sexual favors: "you have to take an equivalence test”, language that the students know and understand.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 pandemic social restriction measures on people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in the UK: a mixed-methods study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e048772
Author(s):  
Toby O Smith ◽  
Pippa Belderson ◽  
Jack R Dainty ◽  
Linda Birt ◽  
Karen Durrant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Healthcare Provision ◽  
Social Restriction ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesTo determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic social restriction measures on people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and to explore how people adapted to these measures over time.DesignMixed-methods investigation comprising a national online longitudinal survey and embedded qualitative study.SettingUK online survey and interviews with community-dwelling individuals in the East of England.ParticipantsPeople in the UK with RMDs were invited to participate in an online survey. A subsection of respondents were invited to participate in the embedded qualitative study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe online survey, completed fortnightly over 10 weeks from April 2020 to August 2020, investigated changes in symptoms, social isolation and loneliness, resilience and optimism. Qualitative interviews were undertaken assessing participant’s perspectives on changes in symptoms, exercising, managing instrumental tasks such a shopping, medication and treatment regimens and how they experienced changes in their social networks.Results703 people with RMDs completed the online survey. These people frequently reported a deterioration in symptoms as a result of COVID-19 pandemic social restrictions (52% reported increase vs 6% reported a decrease). This was significantly worse for those aged 18–60 years compared with older participants (p=0.017). The qualitative findings from 26 individuals with RMDs suggest that the greatest change in daily life was experienced by those in employment. Although some retired people reported reduced opportunity for exercise outside their homes, they did not face the many competing demands experienced by employed people and people with children at home.ConclusionsPeople with RMDs reported a deterioration in symptoms when COVID-19 pandemic social restriction measures were enforced. This was worse for working-aged people. Consideration of this at-risk group, specifically for the promotion of physical activity, changing home-working practices and awareness of healthcare provision is important, as social restrictions continue in the UK.

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