MOVING FORWARD WITH ONLINE LEARNING
By MOSES AISIDA
It is indeed strange times in the world today and even so at Brandon University with the ongoing pandemic spreading in great numbers. Learning has taken a new and unfamiliar turn as we round up the first month since the resumption for the fall semester. With the school taking the step of shutting down almost all physical classes and implementing online learning for the term, students have had various experiences and opinions about online learning. Change demands adaptability, and with adaptability comes difficulties. Online learning has come with obstacles, and challenges, ranging from access to a stable internet connection to navigating some of these online platforms, technical issues, and many more bumps. Students have had varying experiences with the new system. While online learning has made it easy for people with stage fright to make presentations with less fear, it has also impacted the social lives of students in classes by limiting physical interactions, which is key to mental development.
What does the future hold? Uncertainty with its timid, shaky hands. On Wednesday, 30th September, the university announced that the Winter Term would be taken online, much like the ongoing fall term. A lot of students have been questioning the school's plan for the next semester, and its decision to continue online was well received. This decision is far from being unexpected when you observe the recent rollercoaster spike and fall of COVID-19 cases have occurred. One can say it is probably the best option health-wise and would most likely remain so unless a vaccine magically appears in the next few months – even then, it would take a few more months for it to be available to the entire willing populace.
So, what are the consequences of this decision? As much as the positives are huge, what tiny aspects could be affected negatively? Firstly, the social state of students could worsen – as winter is widely known to create social barriers, limit interaction, and reduce outdoor social gatherings. Also, it could become more difficult for students who are already finding it difficult to adapt to the new system this term. Self-management is the major challenge that students currently face from online learning – trying to motivate themselves to study in a distracting environment. The decision to continue online will see some students getting motivation challenges, and this could lead to other more severe consequences like the loss of interest in studying, bad grades, dropping out of school, frustration, anger, and even depression or worse. While the winter term online learning may see a lot of students adjusting and thriving, it may see some others crashing, burn, or struggle. One thing is sure - the winter term would be a test of mental fortitude.
How can we make things easier? The university would do well to improve access to psychological/mental help. Helping students mentally through these frustrating times might be the key to academic excellence. Also, allowance should exist for students who are not as quick to grasp this new structure. Students should also be ready to be challenged and try to remain motivated. Doing group studying on platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams can be a fun way to combine study with interaction. All parties have to work hand in hand to make sure we all come out of this strong. Like Robin S. Sharma said, “Change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end.”
Stay strong, we are all in this together.
an empty Brandon University on Thursday 10th October, 2020. Photo by Moses Aisida