The After Times: College Students’ Desire to Continue with Distance Learning Post Pandemic

Abstract

Distance learning, already a topic of interest among higher education administrators and faculty, took on new significance during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic when face-to-face classes worldwide abruptly shifted online. Many students who had never taken classes online had to either engage in distance learning or withdraw from their classes. An interesting question arises from this situation: will these students continue to take classes online when circumstances no longer require them to do so? In this paper, we investigate factors that may influence college students’ intentions to continue with distance learning once they no longer have to do so. We developed a model based on social cognitive theory and social cognitive career theory and tested it using data from surveying 525 college students who took distance learning classes. Results indicate that personal and environmental factors drive intentions to continue with distance learning through their impact on distance learning perceived performance and satisfaction. We discuss our findings’ implications for practice and future research.