Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the learning engagement of racially diverse undergraduate students in remote learning

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ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic caused a global shift to remote learning and at the same time presented challenges to implementing this form of learning. However, not many studies have been conducted on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students from racially diverse backgrounds in remote learning. To extend our understanding of this topic, this qualitative study explored the impact of this pandemic on the learning engagement, perceived by racially diverse students in remote learning. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 40 undergraduate students from a university in Northeastern United States, analysed following an inductive analysis approach, and interpreted through the lens of Self-Determination Theory. Findings indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted diverse students regarding psychological and emotional stress. Also, insufficient support in remote learning engagement, lack of digital and technical resources and a digital divide were identified as challenges that emerged during the pandemic remote learning period. However, the use of digital social media tools helped students navigate through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to promote their learning engagement in remote learning. The results suggest that higher education institutions should develop instructional resources that can effectively facilitate teaching and learning to enhance students’ learning engagement during disasters and emergency periods.