Make Peace with Online Learning
As an English and Communications double major, I have come to realize that online classes are not as bad as I thought they would be, as long as face-to-face interaction is maintained. My English major requires a great deal of face-to-face discussion about the readings we have to complete. I’m taking two English classes this semester: Mythology and Chaucer. Both classes are absolute favorites. My Chaucer class meets online through the Zoom videoconferencing platform, which students jokingly refer to as “Zoom University.” Every Tuesday and Thursday we meet to talk about the readings and scholarship, and so far, the discussions and engagement have been meaningful enough that it makes the virtual meetings just as good as the in-person classes we were used to.
My mythology class, however, is conducted through a completely different online platform. Our workload has increased significantly because everything that we’d talk about in class is now in a discussion forum. The lack of face-to-face interaction is causing a huge dip in the quality of the class because reading other people’s posts is not as engaging or stimulating as in-person discussion would be.
Compared with my English classes, my communications classes have been easier online. Lecture classes tend to do just fine online. A lot of business-type classes online aren’t hard to translate virtually. While face-to-face communication is the best way to learn, online recordings of lectures with notes and a once-a-week check-in on Zoom seems to work for the most part. The one downside that remote learning doesn’t compensate well for is the ability for students to ask clarifying questions or interact with the professor about small things. Sending emails may not guarantee a prompt response, and relying on written communication increases the chances for miscommunication.
MORE ON EDTECH: These are the 3 remote learning technology must-haves for higher ed
So, the big question remains: Are we getting the same value that we would have if classes were conducted in person, as usual? It depends. Having complete control of your education requires intense time management skills. Even with the syllabus telling us what assignments are due when, it is up to the students to follow those and budget their time wisely. This is the hardest thing for students to do, because they think they can do it later, and when later comes, students can find themselves very far behind. Many students struggle with maintaining a daily agenda. I consider myself to be a detail-oriented person, so I have three agendas to help me. But I know many of my classmates rely on professors to remind us when we have a major assignment due. Having a personal agenda that you write in with a pen and paper, alongside an online one, can really help with this.
In short, how well or how poorly remote learning goes for many college students will depend on how well you plan, how well you manage your time and how well you set up your remote learning environment. It might seem daunting, but it can work.
