The Academic andAthletic Experience of

NCAA CollegeAthletes during

COVID-19Part 1 of 3: Academicsand Virtual Instruction

gathered data about the college athlete experience during this challenging time; gives insight about their hopes and preferred approach for returning for Fall 2020; provided Athlete Viewpoint's partners with campus-specific information about what is, and is not,working in a virtual learning and coaching environment; and identifies best practices for consideration across the industry.

Part 1 - Academics and Virtual InstructionPart 2 - The Athletics Department & College Athlete Health and Well-BeingPart 3 - Play or Delay in Fall 2020 

There has been massive disruption to higher education and college athletics due to COVID-19. AthleteViewpoint is providing information about the impact of the COVID-19 shutdown on college athletes bycollecting and summarizing their views, feelings, and recommendations. This research:1.2.3.

4. Results are presented in 3 summaries:

Purpose of Study

College athletes view virtual learning as significantly worse than in-person instruction.One quarter of college athletes report they have not successfully adapted to virtuallearning.Many academic disciplines struggle to provide an equivalent (or even minimallyacceptable) version of virtual learning.College athletes understand the shutdown was thrust on the faculty as well, with two-thirds reporting they are satisfied with their instructors overall effort, despite theconcerns reported through this survey.One fifth of college athletes do not feel prepared for the future classes in theiracademic sequence.

Quantitative and qualitative data follow this summary of key findings.

Executive Summary - Academics and Virtual Instruction

Athlete Viewpoint gathered information about how college athletes adapted to virtual learning andlife without their teams. The results were subsequently shared with institutions that hadparticipating college athletes. The survey was distributed electronically to n=3,677 college athletes.The response rate was 48% (n=1,762). The study was conducted from April 26 - May 7, 2020. Percentage of respondents:

Freshman ........................... 31%Sophomores ...................... 29%Juniors ............................... 22%Seniors ................................16%5th year/Graduate .............. 2%

Aggregate results were consistent across these two demographic groups. There are also nosignificant differences in results when the data is segmented by NCAA Divisions I, II, and III.

Participants and Demographics

Percentage of respondents:Fall sports ............................ 34%Winter sports ........................19%Spring sports ........................ 47%

of college athletes are currently taking at least one course on-line. of college athletes indicate virtual learning is "somewhat worse" or "muchworse" than in-person learning. of college athletes indicate they have not successfully adapted to online learning. of college athletes do not feel adequately prepared for future classes in theiracademic sequence / major.

How does virtual learning compare to in-person instruction?

Academic Experience

94%

83%

26%

19%

WHAT COLLEGE ATHLETES SAY

Art and Design StudioEducation (studentteaching)Engineering (access tosoftware)Foreign LanguagesMathMusicNursingScience LabsTheater

Classes where studentsdescribe online instructionas "ineffective":

I live in one of the most highly impactedareas where my mom works in ahospital on a COVID-19 positive floorand my brother works at the localgrocery store. Therefore we areconstantly worried and I have to do alot of the daily things around the houseas they are working more than normal.

There is no quiet place to studyat home.

I do not have the best internetaccessibility at home whichmakes things difficult.

My textbooks and most of mynotes/notebooks are still atschool and we couldn't go backand get them.

The time difference is hard.

My teacher isn’t holding anylectures/posting videosexplaining the topics and I ambeing forced to teach myself forthe rest of the semester.

A few of my professors haveconstantly changed due dates.

Professors stopped teachingand started giving busy work.

ABOUT THEIR ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

Teachers cancelling class last second, assigning things thatare due the next day with no warning, not grading thingsfor weeks so I have no clue what my grade is, tons of extraassignments, no tutors, no books from library or bookstore, etc.

This college athlete sums up the most common challenges of virtual instruction:

I believe all of my instructors have handledthis unusual situation both professionallyand extremely well. While some of the

transfer has been difficult I think they haveadapted to the best of their ability and the

class is able to proceed fairly well.

Despite their concerns,67% of college athletesare satisfied overall withtheir instructors online

efforts.

They recognize thissituation was thrust upontheir instructors as welland have empathy for

the challenges they arealso experiencing.

Instructors are generallyaccessible to collegeathletes but would

benefit from technology training on

best practices for onlineteaching and instruction.

of college athletes are "satisfied" or "extremelysatisfied" with their instructors availability.

of college athletes are "satisfied" or "extremelysatisfied" with their instructors use oftechnology.

66%

58%

39%of college athletes are "satisfied" or"extremely satisfied" with how course materialstranslated to an online environment.

WHAT COLLEGE ATHLETES SAY

My professors areaccommodating my needs! I seethe effort and I appreciate it.

Regular classes withpeople on camera Use of specific platformsZoom and WebXRecording class forstudents to referenceagain later Offering regular officehours and Zoom Q&A's Responding to emailquicklyGrading promptly Not deviating from thesyllabus

College athletes describethe following as effectiveinstructional practices:

The majority of my classes didan exceptional job turning toremote learning. Only one classhas been bad but that’s becauseit’s difficult to learn a foreignlanguage remotely. Otherwisethey have been pretty good forthe most part and my professorshave been very helpful.

I think they're doing as well as theycan. At some point for me it comesdown to that online learning is justharder for me and not as enjoyableas in class learning. I think it isimportant to keep in mind homeenvironments are much moredistracting, so long lecture timescan be especially hard unlike if wewere in person.

Some of my professors had openZoom times where we could go andask questions which I think wasreally helpful.

ABOUT THEIR ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

Minor troubles with methods of online learning and switchingplatforms have caused technological troubles for both studentsand professors, which could be solved by perhaps providing ateaching day (or few days) to show both parties how to easilyaccess all functions of multiple platforms (WebEx,BigBlueButton, Sakai and Canvas conferences/meetings, etc.)

Use the best tools available and the same platforms whenever possible. If it freezes frequently, investin something better. Minimize the number of places students have to go to "check-in" each day. Require students and faculty to follow the same rules: use the same technology, check email daily,attend class when scheduled, etc. Provide technology training. Evaluate current course materials and their applicability to online learning. Innovate where necessary. Consider flipping the course: pre-record lectures to watch in advance of class, and then use class timeto facilitate discussion and answer questions. Keep it interactive. Use polls, chat features, and Zoom rooms for breakout sessions. Invite questions,use the "raise hand" feature, and cold/warm call on students. Use a "whiteboard" feature toencourage group collaboration and problem-solving. Use asynchronous chat boards for topic-driven or social-driven class discussions. 

Recommendations for improving virtual learning:

College Athlete Survey ResearchDonor Survey Research and Engagement Association Membership Survey ResearchAthletic Department & Association ConsultingConfidential Executive Coaching for AD's

Other COVID-19 and related projects have included:

To learn more go to: athleteviewpoint.comjennifer@athleteviewpoint.com814-753-1275

Next in this Series Part 2: The Athletics Department & College Athlete Health and Well-Being