The Impact of COVID-19 on Student Learning Experiences and the Sense of Belonging

• In Event: The Impact of COVID-19 on College Student Experiences

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the ways that education is delivered, and the ways students engage in campus activities. Transitioning to remote instruction did not only create challenges associated with adjusting to the new learning environment, but also made academic and social integration for students more difficult, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our study examines students’ experiences with online learning and the impact that COVID-19 produced on their sense of belonging. Our findings suggest that certain aspects of remote instruction during the pandemic actually increased students’ sense of belonging. Additionally, we identify potential solutions that may inform institutional practices to increase students’ sense of belonging that can be used beyond the times of crisis.

Authors

• Veronika Rozhenkova, University of California - Irvine

• David Schaefer, University of California - Irvine