COVID-19 Perspectives: Student Transition
Are there any commalities in the COVID-19 student experience?
As WPI students formally going to Denmark, we understand the academic losses many have faced in the wake of COVID-19. People are missing out on abroad experiences, lab courses, projects, research, or end of year activities. Most notably has been the loss of campus life in the midst of completing classes. We wanted to investigate the college experience during this time, in hopes of gathering a comprehensive understanding of student perspectives at New England schools. We collected survey data from 298 WPI students, and conducted interviews with several students from various schools.
My professors are trying their hardest. But I don't think it's the same quality... My lab is all hands-on and so trying to do that online is extremely difficult.
-UMass Lowell Exercise Physiology Student, Class of 2021
My professors have been good at responding to emails, but it still doesn't replace going to lecture and interacting with them in person.
-WPI Mathematical Sciences Student,
Class of 2023
The art classes that I'm taking do not work as well online because you can't get the same kind of feedback while you're working. It's just a lot easier to learn about making art in person.
-Emerson College Theater Design and Technology Student, Class of 2021
My major is very collaborative in nature… It’s very dependent on the class atmosphere and about the teacher and the rest of the students being able to interact.
-Northeastern University Political Science Student, Third Year
I think it was the right call on behalf of the leaders of St. Anselm College. I don't want to dwell on the fact that I didn't get to finish my senior year. So just making the most of the situation now.
-St. Anselm's College Business and Marketing Student, Class of 2020
Many students are agreeable to college decisions, but still believe online learning is an inferior form of education.
Universities were pressed with making tough decisions immediately following updates on the spread of COVID-19. Many students, like the administrations who were tasked with these decisions, lacked foresight into how the situation would progress. Now over two months into this changed environment, most students agree that school closures were necessary. Still, online learning has presented many challenges, and though universities have made tremendous efforts to allow for an easy transition, nothing can compare to the experience of an in-person education.
Check out our team presentation and other deliverables below.
COVID-ST_Final Presentation.pptxOur presentation begins around 24:45.