Student Perspectives on Supportive Approaches to Student Learning and Well-Being: A Mixed-Methods Case Study of Lessons Learned Pre- and Post- COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented change to higher education. The current study used a mixed-methods case study design to gather the perspectives of 120 Family Science students on teaching practices and policies they found beneficial to their learning and overall well-being during COVID-19 that they reported wanting to see continued upon the return to in-person classes. The main findings from both the quantitative and qualitative responses were that students liked lectures to be recorded so they could watch them if they missed class or re-watch them when studying, and also liked being able to take exams online with some flexibility around when they took them. Students felt that organized course delivery systems and clear communication from supportive instructors contributed to their learning. Students also stated they felt less stressed when their instructors were aware that they had lives outside the classroom and provided some flexibility in those circumstances.