PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON STUDENTS AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic performance: a comparative analysis of face-to face and online assessment

Introduction

Survey studies yield mixed results on the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic performance, with limited direct evidence available.

Methodology

Using the academic platform from the Italian university system, a large-scale archival study involving 30,731 students and 829 examiners encompassing a total of 246,416 exams (oral tests only) to scrutinize the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the likelihood of passing exams was conducted. Examination data were collected both in face-to-face and online formats during the pandemic. In the pre-pandemic period, only face-to-face data were accessible.

Results

In face-to-face examination, we observed a lower probability of passing exams during the pandemic as opposed to pre-pandemic periods. Notably, during the pandemic we found an increased chance of passing exams conducted through online platforms compared to face-to-face assessments.

Discussion and conclusions

These findings provide the first direct evidence of an adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic performance. Furthermore, the results align with prior survey studies underscoring that using telematics platforms to evaluate students' performance increases the probability of exam success. This research significantly contributes to ongoing efforts aimed to comprehend how lockdowns and the widespread use of online platforms impact academic assessment processes.

Mental health consequences of COVID-19 pandemic among college students and coping approaches adapted by higher education institutions: A scoping review

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus – SARS CoV 2 (COVID 19) has posed a dire threat, not only to physical health but also to mental health, impacting our overall lifestyles. In addition to these threats, there have been unique challenges for different subsets of the population. Likewise, college students including research scholars are facing a variety of challenges in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The scoping review maps existing literature on the mental health of college students in the times of COVID-19, approaches adopted by universities and academic institutions to help students cope with challenges posed by COVID-19 and draws lessons learnt and potential opportunities for integrating mental health promotion as part of routine services, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries context such as India. Four electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus and Google Scholar) were searched following Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review process. Out of the total 1038 screened records, thirty-six studies were included in the review. Data characteristics such as the type of document, intervention and outcome were extracted. Data were synthesized using thematic content analysis. The fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of students, accentuates the urgent need to understand these concerns to inform the action and public mental health interventions that can better support college students to cope with the crisis.