Perceptions of higher education students regarding emergency remote education experience

Authors

  • Andreia Pereira Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal | CEGOT–Centro de Estudos em Geografia e Ordenamento do Território, Coimbra, Portugal | Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8765-6608
  • Ana Paula Cardoso Centro de Estudos em Educação e Inovação (CI&DEI), Viseu, Portugal | UICISA: E - Unidade de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde: Enfermagem, Viseu, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5062-4098
  • Sofia Campos Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal | UICISA: E - Unidade de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde: Enfermagem, Viseu, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4696-3537
  • Manuela Ferreira Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal | UICISA: E - Unidade de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde: Enfermagem, Viseu, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8452-2222

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29352/mill0220e.36457

Keywords:

emergency remote education; COVID-19; pandemic; higher education; student experience; well-being

Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was necessary to mitigate the repercussions of the disease, and lockdown measures were implemented, including the transition to emergency remote education.

Objective: Given this dramatic change, it was found pertinent to analyze higher education students' perceptions about emergency remote education through a study conducted at the end of the school year 2020/2021.

Methods: Exploratory qualitative study, using content analysis as a technique for analyzing responses to an open-ended question, asking students to describe their learning experiences during quarantine. A final convenience sample of 438 individuals was questioned, representing 10% of the total population of the higher education institution under study.

Results: The students' experience was mostly described negatively in terms of well-being and academic outcomes, highlighting a lack of motivation, boredom, and stress, as well as learning difficulties, increased workload, and increased pressure. To a lesser extent, they recognized innovation and the convenience of daily routines.

Conclusion: These data allow us to reflect on future remote education practices and the importance of maintaining students' mental health and general well-being during disruptive periods. The limitations of the study arising from this methodological approach must be carefully pointed out, and some level of subjectivity is inevitable.

Keywords: emergency remote education; COVID-19; pandemic; higher education; student experience; well-being

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Published

2025-10-13

How to Cite

Pereira, A., Cardoso, A. P., Campos, S., & Ferreira, M. (2025). Perceptions of higher education students regarding emergency remote education experience . Millenium - Journal of Education, Technologies, and Health, 2(20e), e36457. https://doi.org/10.29352/mill0220e.36457

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Section

Education and Social Development Sciences