Teaching Online

After switching to virtual class in the middle of last semester, I wasn’t sure how starting out as virtual would go. It was going to be particularly challenging because essentially, our class size also doubled this semester.

Overall, it isn’t that bad (from a teaching standpoint). The professor has created modules with videos and worksheets for the students to learn from. The synchronous portion of the class is group work and assessments so students have a chance to test themselves and figure out what they do and don’t know. It’s a bit more stressful for the students, but based on last semester and the two weeks of this semester, they are up for the challenge.

I’m saddest about not getting to connect with my students. When we met in-person for class, office hours, and review sessions it was much easier to get to know them and actually know them. Now, I see tiny faces on a screen and there is no guarantee I will be randomly assigned to their breakout room sessions.

It does give me peace of mind when I walk around campus and see almost no students. That tells me that everyone is taking primarily online classes (and hopefully not gathering on and around campus). I was concerned about the semester restarting and having to dodge big groups of students walking to class. Luckily, that doesn’t seem like it will be an issue.

Teaching online does have its benefits. I can teach in my office on campus which means it’s just a quick run downstairs to continue experiments. I can hold meetings from the comfort of my own home and not just sit in an empty classroom waiting for students to show up to office hours.

There are lots of changes, as expected, with going virtual but it is 100% necessary admist this pandemic. I’m just we all seem up to the challenge of navigating this new normal while staying safe.