Classroom

Online, Active and Engaged: Make Remote Learning Count

Whether classroom instruction is in person, online or a hybrid of both, students and faculty are determined to make the most of whatever is in store.

Lauren Glenn Manfuso

Lauren Glenn Manfuso is a journalist and editor in the Washington D.C. metro area. Her work has appeared in Prevention magazine online, the Miami Herald and USA Today.

At universities across the United States, the fall 2020 term got off to an undeniably rocky start. Universities that began the year determined to hold in-person classes quickly found themselves performing an about-face in response to a rapid uptick in COVID-19 transmission, in addition to frustrated students and faculty concerned about risk of exposure.

Once again, colleges found themselves embracing remote and online learning, this time armed with lessons learned this past spring. And, despite unavoidable (and perhaps unsurprising) speed bumps, most seemed determined to make class time count, no matter how or where it took place.

I wonder how many people are discovering breakout room discussions in zoom who weren't using small group discussions in class. Is it possible that we are having more active learning opportunities now?

— Terry McGlynn (@hormiga) September 3, 2020

Many are complaining about the difference in online learning vs. in-person, but the truth with any good college course is that you can challenge yourself to gain the most from it.

The choice is yours.

Put more into it. Get more out. It’s a lot like life.

— Caleb Mezzy (@Caleb_Mezzy) September 2, 2020

We zoomed in breakoutrooms, We slacked, We githubbed, We pythoned -- We did a lot today in ATOC7500 Objective Data Analysis. We learned.

— Jen Kay (@JenKayCU) September 1, 2020

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