The impact of a global pandemic on undergraduate learning experiences: One year later

Background and Purpose

We examined students perceived changes in their attention, motivation, affect, and time perception following the implementation of the pandemic-related restrictions.

Methods

One year after the restrictions were implemented, we surveyed students’ (N = 153) perceived changes in their experiences relative to their remembered pre- and early-pandemic ones, as well as their predicted future changes.

Results

Consistent with prior work, when students compared their current experiences (March/April 2021) to their remembered pre-pandemic ones, they perceived increases in mind-wandering, technology use, external distraction, and negative affect, as well as decreases in focus, flow, motivation, and time perception. Although somewhat attenuated, students also noted changes in these behaviours when comparing the memory of their early pandemic experiences to their current experiences. Finally, they further anticipated negative changes in their future experiences, possibly due to continued pandemic-related isolation.

Implications

Reducing students’ sense of isolation might improve their cognitive and affective experiences.