コロナ前とコロナ禍における社会人学生の学習継続要因に関する調査

抄録

This study aimed to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected factors influencing the continuation of studies among adult learners, by comparing cohorts enrolled at an online university before the pandemic (2018) and during the pandemic (2021). (1) The analysis identified four key factors constituting adult learners’ study continuation: “Learning Environment Improvement,” “Connections with Peers,” “Learning Planning and Execution,” and “Communication with Instructors and Coaches.” (2) The social changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic led to the widespread adoption of remote work. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the pandemic had a particularly significant impact on the learning environment of students with children. The expansion of remote work facilitated increased support from family members, which likely had a positive effect on students’ ability to continue their studies. Conversely, “Connections with Peers” were stronger among students who enrolled before the pandemic, suggesting that restrictions on face-to-face interactions negatively impacted peer connections during the pandemic. Reduced peer interactions may limit learning support, potentially hindering the continuation of studies. Consequently, even within online educational contexts, it is critical to enhance student networking opportunities and establish mechanisms that facilitate robust communication with instructors and educational coaches. Universities should also consider implementing tailored support measures based on adult students’ life circumstances and age groups to ensure a flexible, supportive, and effective learning environment.