Authors:
Thomas A. Clobes
California State University Channel Islands
thomas.clobes@csuci.edu
and
Heather Craig Alonge
Walden University
heather.alonge@mail.waldenu.edu
Abstract
Students of Hispanic descent make up the single largest subset of first-generation students enrolled in colleges and universities in the United States. These students have been the most affected by the economic and health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also have less support for their educational pursuits and more outside responsibilities than their continuing- generation counterparts. Best practices for creating an effective online learning environment are explored. Suggestions for helping students create social connections with instructors and fellow students are examined.
Keywords: first-generation students; COVID-19; online learning