Article 1 Lazzara
University of South Florida: Response to Online Learning
In the midst of Covid-19 the University of South Florida is undergoing serious learning accommodations, safety precautions, and students are left wondering how this will affect their college learning experience.
The University of South Florida is offering a variety of courses including online and hybrid courses, this will ensure that students are staying safe and have the option to learn from the classroom or at home. This gives students who are feeling unsure about their safety and health an opportunity to continue learning via online. Many professors who offer in person courses have opted to offer live video meetings for those who feel more comfortable with online learning during the pandemic.
With online courses there are many pros and cons to consider. A shift in learning online is one the university felt was necessary to protect their students and staff. However, this comes with new obstacles to navigate. We can explore a few outcomes with information from USF students, educators, and experts.
Babak Khoshnevisan and Rabea Alfahad, University of South Florida College of Education, gathered information to write “Synchronous sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic: The good, the bad, and the ugly” explaining the ins and outs of hybrid learning. This text highlights just what students and educators are going through in their response to the pandemic.
According to the text, one common complaint of language educators in synchronous sessions is the students’ lack of participation. Holding an online session where the professor is simply clicking through a powerpoint is one thing and making it interactive and engaging is a totally different thing. It is unlikely that a professor will be able to mimic the same kind of learning that is offered in a classroom.
USF third year student Avery explains an interesting perspective “I find that the courses I attend online can be challenging in the sense that I’m not able to participate as much because of the attention that is prioritized in the in person classroom. Many of my professors try to engage with the students online however they can be easily missed or looked over. I do think that professors are learning how to work with both groups of students as it can be challenging.”
Interview with USF student Avery (Please view for full interview with USF elementary education student Avery)
Students and educators are in the same boat of learning how to navigate these courses online. Teaching students in an online environment can be challenging dealing with new platforms and the uncertainty of the internet.
USF Teaching Assistant Kai Holyoke says she understands any internet troubles and technical difficulties that may arise, she and the professor work closely with the students providing them recordings of all the lectures. This has been a great tool for students to go back and refer to a lesson as technical issues are bound to occur with online platforms.
The text by Babak Khoshnevisan and Rabea Alfahad highlights the importance of recording and the benefits it provides students, stating that “educators should record the sessions for the students who cannot attend the session for any reason. Some platforms such as Blackboard Collaborate Ultra enable educators to record the session so students can, later on, watch and learn. Additionally, the students who attended the session have a second chance to watch and reinforce their cognitive attainments.” This option has proven helpful for students both in and out of the classroom.
Avery discusses the benefits recorded lectures have been to her and other tools on canvas that help her to be successful in her online courses. She has managed to maintain her grades in her hybrid courses despite the challenges that arise with online learning. Avery shares tips that have helped her in maintaining good academic standing, including listening to the lecture in a quiet location while taking notes, and communicating with your professors if you need extra assistance. It is important that students and professors work together to help create a successful learning environment in a time that is new and uncertain for everyone.
Covid-19 has impacted the way college students are expected to learn. The University of South Florida has adapted to alternate options including online and hybrid courses. While navigating through challenges USF has overcome these obstacles leading students to success.
Sources:
Khoshnevisan, B., & Alfahad, R. (2021). Synchronous sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic: The good, the bad, and the ugly. In W. B. James, C. Cobanoglu, & M. Cavusoglu (Eds.), Advances in global education and research (Vol. 4, pp. 1–7). USF M3 Publishing. https://www.doi.org/10.5038/9781955833042