Story co-produced with Kenneth Goode.
Before the pandemic, all lecture classes were face-to-face instead of in front of a computer screen. Professors would work in their offices until it was time to walk to their designated classrooms and teach. Everything has changed.
Everything has changed for students as well. Instead of walking to classes, they get up from bed, turn on their computers and log into zoom to attend their classes. Faculty had to adapt to formatting classes in different modalities like hybrid, online or in person. For this story, we talked to faculty and students about their experience teaching and taking classes this ‘unusual’ fall 2020.
See some of the student feedback on doing school this semester.
Western Carolina University professors Candy Noltensmeyer, Pamela Duncan and Charles Fagan reflected on how COVID-19 has changed the way they teach.
Noltensmeyer is a communication professor, Duncan is an English professor and Fagan is a political science professor.Noltensmeyer usually teaches communication theory related classes, Duncan primarily teaches writing classes, and Fagan teaches political science classes. While these professors belong to different departments, all three have experienced the same occupational hardships related to COVID-19.
One of the biggest challenges professors had to face this semester was making their classes virtual. Some classes were hybrid, which means the class meets face to face once a week, but many other classes were completely virtual.
Noltensmeyer met with her classes virtually on Zoom during class time this semester due to there being obstacles when she tried holding hybrid classes. This was a huge challenge for her due to her classes being primarily focused on student engagement and connection. She enjoys having an inclusive classroom that allows for meaningful conversations to occur. Creating a similar atmosphere where students couldn’t actually interact with each other meant changing the way she teaches, as well as the assignments she gives. Making these changes has been a “great learning experience” for her.
Similar to Noltensmeyer, Duncan also met with her classes virtually on Zoom this semester. The difference between the two types of teaching is that her classes were divided into groups and each group met with Duncan once a week on Zoom as opposed to having the whole class meet at once.
“My classes are centered around discussion more than lecture and, while we do the best we can in our little Zoom windows, it’s just not as satisfying as when we’re all in a room together,” said Duncan in an email.
Holding classes on Zoom does seem to be a good alternative for face-to-face classes, but both professors feel as though it doesn’t give the same results.
Fagan, however, didn’t use Zoom at all this semester for his classes. This was the first semester where he taught entirely online. Despite his preference for teaching in person, as well as missing in-class discussion with his students, Fagan has not disliked teaching online. He uploads shorter versions of his lectures for his students to watch to keep a sense of normalcy in his classes. One of the bigger changes he made to his classes was the way quizzes and exams were formulated. Usually, his tests are multiple-choice and short answer, but this semester they were essays.
Despite the drastic change to the way classes are held and taught, there has been some positive aspects this semester.
“I have been reaching out more to other colleagues for help and suggestions which is a huge thing,” said Noltensmeyer.
Holding classes virtually is a new way of teaching for most professors and has forced them to communicate with each other about what works in their classes and what doesn’t work.
Fagan has awarded his newfound time to only having to lecture once a week instead of four times a week. This semester, he taught four sections of the same class which means he taught the same material to four different classes. He uses this extra time to give students feedback on assignments, and help his children with their schoolwork.
A positive outcome for Duncan has been having more time to read, walk and spend time with her family and friends.
All three professors are looking forward to next semester and are determined to help their students be successful when obstacles related to COVID-19 procedures arise.
