Reading, Writing, and COVID: The Impacts of the Pandemic on One University’s Business Students Reading and Writing Behaviors

Abstract

In January 2020, scenes online of pain and suffering in Chinese hospitals heralded a pandemic that would negatively impact not just people’s health, but would hinder efforts by organizations worldwide, including the operations of almost all universities. In March 2020, colleges and universities moved learning to virtual delivery and canceled on-campus activities with little or no advance warning due to the threat posed by the coronavirus. Students and faculty alike had to adapt to the new reality of forced distance education, isolation and an uncertain future in the wake of COVID-19. As might be expected, student learning took a hit in many ways, but the pandemic also brought about changes in students’ learning behaviors. This article investigates the impact of a stay-at-home order in one state on the reading and writing activities of students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers surveyed over 600 students at a large, regional university in the Southeastern United States to specifically examine how the onset of the pandemic impacted how much more they engaged in reading and writing activities due to the changes ushered in, both in their college classes and in their lives, due to COVID-19. 
 

Impacts of a Continuing Pandemic on the Health of Students in Higher Education: A Focused Look Over time

“…The Covid pandemic causes worry worldwide and continues to impact the learning environment. Distance education, while increasingly utilized prior to the pandemic, took on greater importance as colleges and universities transitioned their in-person classes to an online format (Budden et al, 2022). The movement to online educational delivery across the world was seen as both blessing and bane.…”

“…In March, as one midsized regional university in the southeastern U.S. moved students off-campus and transitioned to online classes. Restrictions on travel, reduced socialization, reduced dating, concerns for safety and health, and restrictions on shopping, resulted in changes in the behaviors of students (Budden et al, 2022). The perceived impact of changes in the health of college students is the focus of the current study.…”

“…Reactions to a changing environment resulted in changes in teaching. There was increased use of distanced-based education that impacted learning (Budden et al, 2022). The negative impacts of stay-at-home orders resulting from the pandemic were noted in all levels of education.…”

Select Impacts of the Pandemic on College Students During Three Semesters of the Covid-19 Pandemic

“…Health was not the only area to witness change. Communication changes, especially writing and reading behavior changes, were reported (Budden et al, 2022). Changing shopping behaviors negatively impacted retailers (Budden et al, 2021).…”

Student Perceptions of Communication Skills, Activities and Development over Three Semesters of a Pandemic

“…Social distancing guidelines were included. Sadly, the stress of the pandemic would have far-reaching disruptions (Budden et al, 2022).…”