Using COVID-19 online learning modules to examine concerns of university students returning to in-person learning: a mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVE: Understand student concerns with returning to in-person instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic using an e-learning module.

PARTICIPANTS: 925 undergraduate and graduate students returning to in-person instruction in Fall 2021.

METHODS: Five modules educated students about COVID and the transition to in-person learning and collected quantitative and qualitative data related to concerns about COVID and in-person learning.

RESULTS: 65% of students expressed comfort in returning to in-person learning and almost all students answered the scenario questions correctly. Identifying as female and African-American as well as living off campus were connected to a decrease in comfort level associated with the return to in-person learning. Six major themes emerged from the qualitative data analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: Students were well-informed about the COVID-19 pandemic protection measures. These findings suggest that universities can do more to address concerns students have about in-person settings during the COVID-19 pandemic.