Questions from Class

What was the worst thing about online learning: 

For me the worst thing about online learning was how easily distracted I could become while being online. Especially if my camera is off. In classes where professors had us keep our cameras on, I paid attention and was fully engaged. But professors who told us to turn our cameras off, I do not remember a thing about those classes. Further,  I missed being in person with people. When we had our first two weeks of this semester online, I missed my cohort. Not being able to be in person with them sucked, I missed the fun conversations that would occur between classes. Or the funny banter that occurs during class. I found when participating online, we lost those interactions and we tended to be quieter in zoom classes. 

What was the best thing about online learning: 

The best thing about online learning was the extra time I had. Because I did not have to get up and get ready to get myself to school, or take the bus home. I was able to shut my computer and already be at home. When school was online for those first few weeks I went out for a 5 km walk in between classes or after class. And eat a lot healthier because I always had time to make myself something to eat while at home. I find I am a lot more tired at the end of the day in comparison to when school was online, thus I rarely have energy at the end of the day to do anything. It may be because I am more active during the day being at school and interacting with my cohort and professors, which I enjoy. But by the end of the day I am exhausted and lazy (in my opinion) and I am missing out on being physically active.

What has the Pandemic taught us about online learning?:

I believe that the pandemic has shown us that online learning works for some people and not others. Online learning during the pandemic was needed due to the unknowing situation we were facing globally early on the pandemic. But as time passed many students needed to be back in the classrooms to learn effectively. While those who needed to stay home for longer were able to because of the technology we had. It shows that for students in specific situations they can stay home and learn. Online learning also brings up the discussion of availability because many families did not have WIFI or devices for their children to participate in online learning. We make large assumptions that because WIFI is everywhere that every house hold has it, but this is not always the case. Thus the discussion on affordability and access should be considered for online learning.