Barnes & Noble Education Survey Reveals College Student Preparedness Split: Technically Ready for Online Learning, But Emotio...
April 08 2020 - 8:30AM
Business Wire
Over Half of Students Express Concerns About
Ability to Maintain Focus and Missing Social Interactions with
Classmates
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED), a leading
solutions provider for the education industry, today announced the
findings from a survey of college students whose schools have
recently made the switch to online learning, or are in the process
of making the switch. While most college students feel they have
the tools they need to move online, they remain anxious about their
own skills in managing their learning in an off-campus
environment.
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Top Student Concerns About Online
Learning (Graphic: Business Wire)
Conducted by Barnes & Noble College Insights℠ the week of
March 23, 2020, the survey looked at the perspectives of college
students across the U.S. as they move from traditional classrooms
to online courses as part of colleges’ and universities’ health and
safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The survey found students split on readiness, with more than
half of students (60%) saying they are at least somewhat prepared
for the switch to online classes, while the rest are less certain,
saying they need time to adjust to the transition. Previous
experience with online learning appears to be a key factor in
preparedness – students who have taken an online class previously
are more likely to feel prepared (70% vs. 30%).
Still, many students are worried about their ability to adjust
to learning completely outside of the classroom setting. More than
half (64%) of students expressed concern over maintaining focus and
discipline, unsure if they would be able to motivate themselves
over the long term to do work remotely. They noted “my house is not
the proper environment in which to do work” and that they “easily
get distracted while on the computer.”
Over half (55%) of students said they were concerned about the
lack of social interactions, saying they learn better when they are
with their fellow students, and 45% of students are concerned they
will not perform as well academically under these circumstances. A
smaller percentage of students have technological worries, with 12%
citing concerns about their internet access not being strong or
fast enough.
“While the switch to online learning is a massive adjustment for
all parties involved, we need to remember that many of today’s
students are digital natives, and they are generally well-equipped
to handle digital materials and tools,” said Lisa Malat, President,
Barnes & Noble College. “However, this abrupt change in
lifestyle has also had social and emotional impacts on students,
and many are grappling with how to succeed academically in the
midst of this disruption. We’ve seen colleges, universities,
faculty and family members all providing the resources they can to
ease this transition. With the right structure and support in
place, students may ultimately find that this way of learning works
better for them, as it allows them to go more at their own pace.”
In fact, nearly half (42%) of students said they see self-paced
learning as a potential benefit of moving online.
In addition to using digital learning platforms to view
lectures, surveyed students are planning to use a suite of digital
tools to continue their education online. Twenty percent of
students expect to use e-textbooks more, while 25% said they plan
to use online study aids more, such as bartleby® and others. By far
the greatest growth, though, was in the use of connection tools
such as Skype, email and chat services. More than three-quarters
(78%) of students expect to increase their use of these tools for
virtual interactions as part of the transition to online
learning.
Using these tools to maintain regular connections with students
may help schools and instructors address concerns about
preparedness and education quality lingering for some students.
While the majority of students agreed that schools and instructors
are prepared for the switch to online learning, 24% expressed
doubts about their college or university’s preparedness, and 33%
expressed doubts about their instructors’ preparedness. Students
who received strong communication from their professors as part of
the switch noted its impact, as one student wrote, “my professors
are being very helpful and understanding, which makes my transition
feel more prepared.”
“Communication is key in times of uncertainty. Frequent
check-ins between professors and students can play a crucial role
in maximizing online learning,” said Malat. “Whether it’s through
video conferences or a simple phone call, holding regular ‘office
hours’ can help keep students feel engaged and provide them with
the additional support they need to navigate this transition.”
Survey Methodology
Barnes & Noble College Insights℠ conducted an online
quantitative survey of 432 college students across the U.S. to
better understand how students feel about transition to online
learning as part of colleges’ and universities’ COVID-19 prevention
measures.
About Barnes & Noble Education
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED) is a
leading solutions provider for the education industry, driving
affordability, access and achievement at hundreds of academic
institutions nationwide and ensuring millions of students are
equipped for success in the classroom and beyond. Through its
family of brands, BNED offers campus retail services and academic
solutions, a digital direct-to-student learning ecosystem,
wholesale capabilities and more. BNED is a company serving all who
work to elevate their lives through education, supporting students,
faculty and institutions as they make tomorrow a better, more
inclusive and smarter world. For more information, visit
www.bned.com.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200408005156/en/
Carolyn J. Brown Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
and Public Affairs cbrown@bned.com 908-991-2967
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