Business and management students' experiences of covid-19

By Student Voice
COVID-19business and management (non-specific)

Introduction

The recent global health crisis has significantly changed the educational landscape for students in the UK, particularly those studying business and management. The swift shift from traditional classroom settings to online learning platforms has posed hurdles and created opportunities. Simultaneously, Engaging with the 'student voice' through text analysis and surveys has become more critical. This feedback process is crucial to understanding and enhancing the student's academic journey. Academic staff have had to innovate and reassess their approaches rapidly to ensure that the transition impacts students minimally while preparing them effectively for the complexities of the business world. As we look into these experiences, we aim to uncover institutions' strategies to navigate this new teaching environment, ensuring that learning remains robust and interactive.

Impact on Learning

The shift to online learning platforms has been a significant change for students, affecting how they engage with and absorb curriculum materials. It has been a disorienting adjustment from the typical interactive, seminar-based business and management courses classes to more isolated, self-directed study setups for many. Recognising these shifts, academic staff in higher education are re-imagining course delivery to preserve interaction and engagement. This process includes integrating virtual real-time discussions and collaboration projects to simulate the dynamic learning environment students are accustomed to. Another important aspect has been the focus on making resources more accessible online, ensuring that students receive the same breadth and depth of information they would have in a physical classroom. As educational institutions continue to hone their digital offerings, the key is clear and timely communication, maintaining a steady flow of information and student support. Each step in this transition is vital for adapting courses to cater to emergency needs and potentially set a new standard in educational delivery.

Support and Communication

Amid the shift toward digital learning, the need for efficient support systems and proactive communication has proven more important than ever. Universities have enhanced communication strategies to ensure every student feels interconnected despite physical distances. This involves clear email updates, virtual office hours, and access to online support hubs that assist with all aspects of university life—from academic help to mental health resources. Communication is vital in detecting and promptly addressing students' concerns. Text analysis of student feedback is utilised to swiftly identify common issues and trends, which enables institutions to react quickly and effectively. For business and management students, who often benefit from the continuous interaction and networking integral to their studies, these strengthened communication channels mitigate the disruption caused by not being in a physical classroom. Initiatives like virtual mentorship programs and online social communities have also been introduced to preserve the networking aspect vital to their future careers. Thus, consistent and adaptive communication is critical to survive and excel through challenging times, supporting students’ educational and professional processes.

Teaching Quality

With the move to virtual classrooms, staff and institutions had to focus intently on preserving the high standards of teaching students expect in business and management courses. A significant concern has been how this shift affected how students perceive instruction quality. Within this new digital setting, staff have looked into various strategies to keep teaching engaging and effective. Maintaining real-time interaction has been necessary, helping students feel connected despite the physical distance. For instance, using live webinars and interactive sessions rather than just recorded lectures has helped emulate a more traditional classroom feel. Feedback from students suggests that these live interactive sessions are vital in keeping them engaged and active in their learning process. Equally important has been the staff's ability to adapt their teaching methods in response to ongoing feedback—ensuring that teaching quality effectively meets students’ needs. A particularly challenging yet critical aspect has been maintaining a standard of fairness and consistency in assessments, which is crucial to students' academic success and future career paths. Though initially challenging, this digital shift offers an opportunity to look into new teaching methods that could refine the educational process.

Group Work and Collaboration

The approach to group work and collaboration in business and management studies has significantly changed during the pandemic. Traditionally, these are areas where face-to-face interaction plays a crucial role in fostering effective teamwork and problem-solving skills. However, the necessity for social distancing has pushed academic institutions to rethink these interactions within an online framework. Institutions have utilised various digital tools to facilitate group projects and discussions. These tools include virtual breakout rooms on Zoom platforms and collaborative workspaces like Google Drive and Microsoft Teams. These technologies have allowed students to continue collaborating in real-time, albeit from their own homes. The transition has not been without challenges. Some students have faced technical issues or a lack of physical presence, which can often make communication more fluid. Staff have played a significant role by offering additional training sessions on using these digital tools effectively and providing continuous support. This situation has encouraged students and staff to develop new strategies and enhance their digital fluency, which could benefit their future professional roles where remote teamwork is becoming more common.

Perceptions of Value for Money

During the COVID-19 disruption, concerns about whether tuition fees match the learning experience provided have been more visible. Business and management students, in particular, reckon closely with the costs and benefits of their education. With the pivot to online learning, access to physical resources like libraries and face-to-face interaction has been limited, raising questions about the fees' fairness. To address these concerns, institutions have been prompted to enhance their digital libraries and online resource accessibility, ensuring that students still receive comprehensive access to learning materials necessary for their courses. Additionally, student surveys have played an important role in gauging these concerns, providing critical insights into areas that require improvement to uphold the perceived value of their financial investment. Feedback through these surveys has led to targeted course delivery and resource provision adjustments, aligning more closely with students' expectations. This engagement is vital for maintaining trust between the students and institutions and refining the educational offerings in a manner perceived as fair and beneficial under the constraints of remote learning setups.

Highlighting Positive Experiences

Amid considerable upheaval in the educational sector due to COVID-19, several positive experiences have emerged, particularly for business and management students. Through adaptation and innovation, universities have managed to turn challenges into opportunities for enhancement. Student feedback reveals that virtual learning has facilitated greater flexibility in managing personal and academic commitments. This shift has been instrumental in enabling students to tailor their educational paths more effectively to suit their individual schedules and student needs. For some, the ability to replay lectures and access a wide range of online resources has significantly improved. Additionally, the increased use of digital tools has equipped students with essential skills that are increasingly relevant in today's digital workplace. The transition has fostered a sense of resilience and adaptability among students, which is highly valued in the business world.

Conclusion and Reflections

As we reflect upon the experiences of business and management students during the recent disruptions spurred by COVID-19, it is apparent that both challenges and learning opportunities have been significant. Though initially daunting, quick adaptation to online learning has reshaped the educational approach, opening avenues for potentially more flexible and innovative teaching methods. Key among the reflections shared by institutions and staff is the heightened recognition of the importance of student voice. This feedback has been indispensable in guiding changes and enhancements to the learning process.

Looking ahead, it remains essential for all stakeholders to work collaboratively to refine these emergent teaching strategies. Keeping students' needs at the forefront, institutions must ensure that technologies and communication pathways developed during this period continue to evolve to support not just academic success but also the professional growth of students. Maintaining an open dialogue with students and embracing adaptability will be key strategies as the education landscape continues to be shaped by both challenges and innovations.

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