Research

More than Half of Students May Lack Reliable Access to High-Speed Internet

• By Rhea Kelly
• 08/31/20

According to a new survey from Visual Objects, 51 percent of high school and college students do not have consistent access to high-speed internet and WiFi. The company, which helps businesses find and hire creative firms, surveyed 400 students across the United States about how they are adapting to remote learning.

Sixty-three percent of students surveyed intend to take online classes this fall. But among those remote learners, about 35 percent will be staying home rather than living on campus, meaning "they may be without computers, software, and other resources available at school," the survey report noted.

Other findings include:

• 55 percent of respondents said they are comfortable taking their classes online, but 31 percent remain uncomfortable with remote learning;
• Only 46 percent feel comfortable meeting with a teacher online while learning remotely;
• 52 percent think cheating will increase due to remote learning; and
• 47 percent do not think their grades will be affected by remote learning.

The full report is available on the Visual Objects site.