Opportunity Knocks

With COVID-19 cases rising again across the country, in-class versus remote learning for fall at the university continues to be a fluid situation.  There are possibilities offered by distance learning that make this an exciting time despite some negative feedback from students.

When I spoke to students and asked them to evaluate how we finished the spring semester online, they identified several key issues they encountered.  Many did not have reliable Wi-Fi at home.  Those who did often had to share bandwidth among family members.  Younger siblings were doing their own digital learning through Zoom and other platforms; others were watching streaming services.  As we contemplate a new round of stimulus grants and other financial assistance, some of that money should be put to government subsidized, reliable internet access.  Every home should be wired for internet service.  This should be free for those with financial hardship and limited resources.

After issues with internet access, students complained that they lacked the discipline and motivation to be self-directed learners.  They are paying a lot for their education, and if they took out student loans, they will be paying far into the future.  Therefore, they must get the most for their money now, and that means making a schedule, buckling down, and getting with the program.  They should keep their three hours of class time every week sacrosanct and even if they do not have a physical class over Zoom, reserve that time for that class’ coursework.  They must also keep regular scheduled hours to work on independent study and coursework.  The bare minimum would be for every hour of class time, they should devote an additional hour to course work.  Three hours of class time equal at least three hours of independent study.  Some classes may require more, so students must be flexible and adjust their study schedule accordingly.

Students also expressed concern about connecting with fellow students and the instructor.  They said that remote learning often left them feeling out of touch.  When they were on campus for instruction, they could have study groups and interact with teachers and students to gain a better perspective in a particular course.  From a distance, that kind of interaction is not possible.  Again, this is a matter of making the effort.  Utilizing Zoom meetings should not be just something done for class time.  Students should form study groups over Zoom or one of the other meeting programs.  The student must make an effort; it is not something that will magically happen on its own.

One of the most frequently heard complaints about distance learning is that students do not have access to on-campus services.  This has taken the form of students requesting a tuition break, or even a refund because parents and students see online learning as less than on-campus classes.  However, the preparation for the instructor is the same, the time spent reading and commenting on student work is the same, and grading and communication all require the same time and energy commitment as remote instruction.

As for services, health centers and counseling services can be conducted through Telehealth or other such online options.  Students can access those services and others, including the Registrar’s Office, financial aid, and the business office online.  For library services, many books and resources materials are available online with a valid student identification.

It is time for students to take responsibility for their own learning, and that is the great opportunity of this situation.  For so long, the educational philosophy has been the sage on the stage and students as passive receivers of the knowledge.  Now, students must take control and be involved in their own learning.  It is no longer the sage on the stage but the guide on the side.  The teacher facilitates learning, guiding the student and offering advice.

How does this look in an average college classroom?  Well, for one, attendance should not be a problem.  Many of our students have a difficult time coming to campus because of traffic and inadequate public transportation.  Now the commute has been eliminated.  In many cases, the student can work at his or her own pace.  Resources and study aids can be transmitted electronically to students, thereby avoiding killing a lot of trees with numerous copies.  Over the learning platforms, teachers and students can share screens, and the dialogue in class can be made over into group interaction and discussion.  This is a struggle in the classroom for in-person courses, and will probably be a struggle in online learning.  However, this is the perfect opportunity to change that.  Contributing to the discussion and the class community is a necessity and should be considered part of the student’s grade for the course.

I continue to be optimistic about moving to more online learning.  Each class has its own difficulties and advantages, but it feels like we have been moving toward this long before COVID-19.  It is time to seize the day and really test what can be done in this new paradigm.  COVID-19 will be with us at least for the next academic year, but we can see this as a chance to revolutionize education.  Therefore, for students and teachers, it is imperative that we move forward and take this opportunity to revise education in America.