Communication Skills in Students: A Comparison of Reports Before and After Covid-19

Abstract

Purpose: In order to contrast the trends in the literature regarding the subject of communication skills in higher-level students, main themes were identified that were emphasized before the pandemic and that, during and after it, ceased to be the subject of discussion. Methods: There was a qualitative approach. It used the narrative documentary review method and Boolean search engines in online indexed databases. From 421 identified articles, 20 were selected for analysis in the "before pandemic" condition and 24 for the "during and post-pandemic" ones, classifying them by type of Intervention and diagnosis and by research focus: qualitative and quantitative. Results and Conclusion: The pre-pandemic studies focused on elucidating the aspects associated with communication skills and academic performance, trying to design tools and implement strategies to improve communication performance in students. Finally, it is expected that educational institutions consider the relevance of implementing plans to reinforce and develop these soft skills in young people, maximizing technological resources as allies in improving their development in this globalized social context. Research implications: On the other hand, in the During and post-pandemic stages, they came together to explain the causes linked to the withdrawal of the expressive ability of the students, reconsidering the use of virtuality and highlighting the need to use traditional strategies as the best alternative to promote communicative skills. Originality/value: Study in the face of the overwhelming irruption of remote education as the only option for academic interaction.