Disparities in Remote Learning Faced by First-Generation and Underrepresented Minority Students during COVID-19: Insights and Opportunities from a Remote Research Experience.

Barber, Paul H; Shapiro, Casey; Jacobs, Molly S; Avilez, Leslie; Brenner, Katherine I; Cabral, Carmen; Cebreros, Monika; Cosentino, Evan; Cross, Candice; Gonzalez, Monica L; Lumada, Kaila T; Menjivar, Alison T; Narvaez, Jennifer; Olmeda, Belinda; Phelan, Rebecca; Purdy, Destiney; Salam, Saima; Serrano, Leah; Velasco, Miguel J; Marin, Erick Zerecero; Levis-Fitzgerald, Marc

Barber, Paul H; Shapiro, Casey; Jacobs, Molly S; Avilez, Leslie; Brenner, Katherine I; Cabral, Carmen; Cebreros, Monika; Cosentino, Evan; Cross, Candice; Gonzalez, Monica L; Lumada, Kaila T; Menjivar, Alison T; Narvaez, Jennifer; Olmeda, Belinda; Phelan, Rebecca; Purdy, Destiney; Salam, Saima; Serrano, Leah; Velasco, Miguel J; Marin, Erick Zerecero; Levis-Fitzgerald, Marc.

Barber PH; Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Shapiro C; Center for Educational Assessment, Center for the Advancement of Teaching, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Jacobs MS; Center for Educational Assessment, Center for the Advancement of Teaching, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Avilez L; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Brenner KI; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Cabral C; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Cebreros M; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Cosentino E; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Cross C; Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Gonzalez ML; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Lumada KT; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Menjivar AT; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Narvaez J; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Olmeda B; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Phelan R; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Purdy D; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Salam S; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Serrano L; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Velasco MJ; UCLA-HHMI Health Disparities and Environment Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Marin EZ; Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Levis-Fitzgerald M; Center for Educational Assessment, Center for the Advancement of Teaching, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.

J Microbiol Biol Educ ; 22(1)2021.

Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1197217

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic forced an unprecedented shift to remote instruction across higher education, reducing access to critically important undergraduate research experience and potentially magnifying inequities faced by first-generation and underrepresented minority (URM) students in higher education. Through a novel course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) at UCLA, delivered completely online, results of a unique, student-generated survey showed that the transition to remote learning was challenging for all students, increasing student workload, decreasing ability to focus on school, and limiting their ability to succeed. However, results showed significant disparities in remote learning that disproportionately impacted URM and first-generation students. These students had significantly greater expectations to help siblings with remote learning,; URM and first-generation students also suffered greater economic and food insecurity related to COVID-19. At the same time, this study demonstrates how student voices in survey development provide novel and actionable insights. While access to CUREs is often limited by laboratory space, by focusing on the research process, rather than specific laboratory skills, this study provides a scalable pedagogical model for remote undergraduate research experiences. Importantly, this model fostered student engagement and increased interest in further undergraduate research, including topics not directly related to the subject of this study, suggesting that online CUREs can be effective and impactful.

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Language: English Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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