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A News Big Data Analysis of Issues in Higher Education in Korea amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Jangwan Ko

    (College of Education, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 04063, Korea)

  • Seungsu Paek

    (Graduate School of Education, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Korea)

  • Seoyoon Park

    (College of Education, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 04063, Korea)

  • Jiwoo Park

    (College of Education, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 04063, Korea)

Abstract

This paper examines the main issues regarding higher education in Korea—where college education experienced minimal interruptions—during the COVID-19 pandemic through a big data analysis of news articles. By analyzing policy responses from the government and colleges and examining prominent discourses on higher education, it provides a context for discussing the implications of COVID-19 on education policy and what the post-pandemic era would bring. To this end, we utilized BIgKinds, a big data research solution for news articles offered by the Korea Press Foundation, to select a total of 2636 media reports and conducted Topic Modelling based on LDA algorithms using NetMiner. The analyses are split into three distinct periods of COVID-19 spread in the country. Some notable topics from the first phase are remote class, tuition refund, returning Chinese international students, and normalization of college education. Preparations for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), contact and contactless classes, preparations for early admissions, and supporting job market candidates are extracted for the second phase. For the third phase, the extracted topics include CSAT and college-specific exams, quarantine on campus, social relations on campus, and support for job market candidates. The results confirmed widespread public attention to the relevant issues but also showed empirically that the measures taken by the government and college administrations to combat COVID-19 had limited visibility among media reports. It is important to note that timely and appropriate responses from the government and colleges have enabled continuation of higher education in some capacity during the pandemic. In addition to the media’s role in reporting issues of public interest, there is also a need for continued research and discussion on higher education amid COVID-19 to help effect actual results from various policy efforts.

Suggested Citation

  • Jangwan Ko & Seungsu Paek & Seoyoon Park & Jiwoo Park, 2021. "A News Big Data Analysis of Issues in Higher Education in Korea amid the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:13:p:7347-:d:586015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jung-Kyu Jung & Jae Young Choi, 2022. "Choice and allocation characteristics of faculty time in Korea: effects of tenure, research performance, and external shock," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(5), pages 2847-2869, May.
    2. Hae Ran Kim & Eun Jung Kim, 2021. "Factors Associated with Mental Health among International Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, October.

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