Apps and Teaching Strategies for Enhancing Learning in Higher Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced an abrupt change in human behavior and raised significant challenges in higher education. This pandemic has altered our learning behavior by affecting the relative importance of information and forcing teaching and learning into a framework that accommodates human behavioral measures to avoid disease transmission primarily. However, aside from Apps and digital modifications, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies are also critical to reducing barriers to teaching and learning remotely at home. Many mobile Apps were created or modified to address teaching and learning strategies during the pandemic. However, complete knowledge of the quantity and quality of Apps related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is lacking. Also, no directory has been established listing all the Apps developed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this systematic review of the literature was to identify challenges that universities faced during the unexpected request for previous face-to-face classes to be taught remotely. The review was also structured to identify UDL-congruent strategies and Apps that can mitigate any number of challenges for faculty and students, including those with disabilities. Finally, this review was designed to synthesize and organize information about the strategies and Apps so that administrators and faculty can use it to address the educational needs of all of their students.