College Student’s Learning Experiences During COVID-19 Among Traditional and Post-Traditional Students Enrolled in Institutions Affiliated with the Appalachian College Association

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in the learning experiences, feelings and emotions, level of study support, and online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic between traditional and post-traditional college students enrolled in an institution affiliated with the Appalachian College Association. A two-group comparison research design using a web-based survey was used for the study. Using the College Student’s Learning Experiences during COVID-19 among Traditional and Post-Traditional Students Enrolled in Institutions Affiliated with the Appalachian College Association survey, the research questions were analyzed with a sample size of N = 58, traditional college student group and N=33, post-traditional college student group. Statistically significant differences were found in the overall learning experiences, emotional experiences, study support, and satisfaction of online learning between traditional and post-traditional students during the COVID-19 pandemic at institutions affiliated with the Appalachian College Association. The study documented the impact of the importance of institutional support and an online nurturing environment from higher education institutions during a global pandemic. The findings could assist educational leaders and implementing programs to assist the post-traditional and traditional students in the event of future disasters. Implications for future research and policy makers are discussed.