Impacts of COVID- 19 Pandemic on the Digital Divide
Location
Online - Session 2B
Start Date
4-21-2021 11:30 AM
Major Field of Study
Global Public Health
Student Type
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor(s)
Michaela George, PhD
Presentation Format
Digital Portfolio
Abstract/Description
Introduction
Due to the global Coronavirus 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic, teachers and students were forced to transition to online learning due to CDC guidelines. With limited research on the impacts of the COVID- 19 pandemic on education, this study examines the impacts of digital literacy on online learning during the COVID- 19 pandemic and strategies to best support teachers as well as students during the transition to online learning.
Methods
A group of high school teachers and administration in the Santa Clara Unified School District were interviewed to gain their perspective on online learning, creating a total of 18 interviews collectively. After the interviews were conducted, each interview was transcribed and formatted onto a single document. Participants were asked a series of eight questions related to digital literacy and its impact on online learning. These transcripts were then coded to link the importance of digital literacy within the online classroom. Keywords like “students”, “pandemic”, “digital literacy”, “struggles”, “resources” “online” and “support” were used to search through transcripts to narrow down the research population.
Results
Out of the 18 participants all met the criteria of being teachers and/ or administration. Of the 18 teachers and administration all reported having faced struggles throughout the transition to online learning. Words that were used to describe their experiences were “stressful”, “difficult”, and “struggle”. Some participants described the transition to online classes as stressful and having many challenges throughout the process. All teachers and administration who reported having a difficult time transitioning said that because of online learning many students have suffered in their education.
Discussion/Conclusion
With the COVID-19 pandemic and online learning, many teachers and administration have been forced to shift their ways in which they operate the everyday classroom, impacting the overall education of students. This study revealed a relationship between the importance of digital literacy within the online learning platform. This research can be used to help shape policy, protocol, and support programs for future teachers and students in situations similar to current events. With education having a significant impact on one’s general health, providing teachers and students with the best possible resources to be successful in the classroom is vital in contributing to positive community health.
Impacts of COVID- 19 Pandemic on the Digital Divide
Online - Session 2B
Introduction
Due to the global Coronavirus 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic, teachers and students were forced to transition to online learning due to CDC guidelines. With limited research on the impacts of the COVID- 19 pandemic on education, this study examines the impacts of digital literacy on online learning during the COVID- 19 pandemic and strategies to best support teachers as well as students during the transition to online learning.
Methods
A group of high school teachers and administration in the Santa Clara Unified School District were interviewed to gain their perspective on online learning, creating a total of 18 interviews collectively. After the interviews were conducted, each interview was transcribed and formatted onto a single document. Participants were asked a series of eight questions related to digital literacy and its impact on online learning. These transcripts were then coded to link the importance of digital literacy within the online classroom. Keywords like “students”, “pandemic”, “digital literacy”, “struggles”, “resources” “online” and “support” were used to search through transcripts to narrow down the research population.
Results
Out of the 18 participants all met the criteria of being teachers and/ or administration. Of the 18 teachers and administration all reported having faced struggles throughout the transition to online learning. Words that were used to describe their experiences were “stressful”, “difficult”, and “struggle”. Some participants described the transition to online classes as stressful and having many challenges throughout the process. All teachers and administration who reported having a difficult time transitioning said that because of online learning many students have suffered in their education.
Discussion/Conclusion
With the COVID-19 pandemic and online learning, many teachers and administration have been forced to shift their ways in which they operate the everyday classroom, impacting the overall education of students. This study revealed a relationship between the importance of digital literacy within the online learning platform. This research can be used to help shape policy, protocol, and support programs for future teachers and students in situations similar to current events. With education having a significant impact on one’s general health, providing teachers and students with the best possible resources to be successful in the classroom is vital in contributing to positive community health.