Research Goals
Examined the changes in technology access as direct impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and its effect on student learning and retention.
Research Focus
- Determine changes in student technology use and access.
- Access the impact of the Coronavirus on student access.
- Explore remedies for mitigation.
Methodology
Adopted survey methodology, longitudinal analysis, observation and faculty interviews.
- Phase 1: Created surveys administered bi-annually over three years period (n=400).
- Phase 2: Collected observations.
- Phase 3: Interviewed faculties (n=5) in direct contact with students.
- Phase 4: Data analysis, reporting and recommendation.
Findings
- Strong difference in student engagement in the years prior to the Coronavirus pandemic and the years of.
- Students expressed frustration and inability to comprehend content.
- Faculty expressed stress, but accessed free options available at the time.
Significance
- High stressor period and a lack of technolgy access has a high impact in student engagement and retention.
Next Step
- Suggestions from the study led to the equipping of new computer labs.
- Remote technology access.
- Continuous work in progress.
Keywords
Higher education, student retention, coronavirus pandemic, technology access.
Ngozi Akinro 