Two-thirds of 2019-2020 college freshmen reported experiencing academic challenges and three-quarters had academic concerns due to learning online during the pandemic

IOWA CITY, Iowa—While learning online during the novel coronavirus pandemic, two-thirds of 2019-2020 college freshmen had academic issues with online learning, one-third reported frequent troubles with an unreliable computer, and 21 percent of students reported having unpredictable or no access to the internet, according to a report released today by ACT, the nonprofit organization that administers the ACT college readiness exam. Students from low-income families and first-generation college students were most likely to report academic challenges related to learning online.

In response to the coronavirus outbreak, 98 percent of the surveyed students reported transitioning to online learning, and this rapid shift to online learning exacerbated students’ negative feelings. More than half of students had never taken a college course online before the pandemic, and the vast majority of first-year college students experienced challenges in their coursework while learning online during the pandemic. Most students were concerned that online learning during the pandemic would negatively affect their academic success next year.

“The first year of college is often a stressful time for college students, as the transition from high school to college brings new circumstances and expectations,” said ACT CEO Janet Godwin. “The past academic year was perhaps the most challenging year in the lives of American college students, particularly students from low-income families and first-generation college students, who were more likely to have limited access to technology and the internet compared to their counterparts. Ending the digital divide must be a national priority if we are serious about giving every college-bound student a fair shot at earning a degree.”

Learning online for a year required students to have access to a computer and have a stable internet connection. One-third of freshmen did not have access to a computer or reported frequent troubles with an unreliable computer, while three-quarters reported their internet connection as being only okay or completely unpredictable. A majority of these students came from low-income families or were first-generation college students, confirming the ongoing digital divide in American education.

“We found that access to technological and learning resources were related to perceived academic challenges and concerns. First-year college students who had access to technological and learning resources were more likely to rate their coursework as easy, and less likely to report short-term and long-term academic concerns compared to students who did not have access to these technological resources, which in turn were associated with a higher level of certainty about enrolling in the same institution next year.” said Dr. Joyce Z. Schnieders, a research scientist who co-led the survey for ACT. “Increasing access to technological and learning resources could help first-year college students, who come from underserved populations, navigate through the new mode of learning during and after the pandemic.”

It is very likely that many postsecondary institutions will continue some form of online learning in fall 2021 even as campuses reopen. The top ways that institutions could support and improve online learning for incoming first-year college students are:

• address the inequities in access to technology and the internet;
• close the gap in learning resources;
• promote online learning preparatory programs;
• advance (or advocate for) student outreach; and 
• support professional development for instructors.

ACT researchers interviewed 1,164 first-year college students about their experiences with online learning during the pandemic for the report, First-Year College Students’ Online Learning Experiences During the Pandemic.

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About ACT 

ACT is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people achieve education and workplace success. Headquartered in Iowa City, Iowa, ACT is trusted as a national leader in college and career readiness, providing high-quality assessments grounded in over 60 years of research. ACT offers a uniquely integrated set of solutions designed to provide personalized insights that help individuals succeed from elementary school through career. Visit us online at www.act.org/ 

Contact 

James Elias

jelias@hagersharp.com

(202) 355-4417