COVID-19 has had an undeniable impact on higher education in many different ways. A year ago, colleges and universities had to transition to a remote-only learning model almost overnight. The pandemic not only disrupted higher education as we knew, it changed it in many ways. Some of those changes are for the better, however, and will have value even after the pandemic restrictions are lifted.
There are five changes to higher education due to the pandemic that will endure even after classes return to normal, according to Paul Cowell, lecturer in Economics and Deputy Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching, University of Stirling, U.K., in a World Economic Forum article.
Continuing online learning. Before the pandemic, the online learning environment was essential a repository of course materials and not where actual learning happened. The pandemic showed how the online space can provide engaging, enriching and accessible learning. Today, students are actively learning through videos and interactive media and they’re continuing lesson conversations on discussion boards after class.
Keeping students engaged. Prior to the pandemic, student engagement and attendance were typically synonymous. A student’s participation in a course was gauged by their attendance in lectures and classes. When COVID-19 restrictions meant that no one could be physically present, student engagement in the learning environment took a different form. Today, online interactions and discussions are indicators of student engagement and enthusiasm.
Enabling creative assessments. The pandemic forced professors to figure out new ways to assess students, since written exams, delivered in large classroom settings and silent conditions, were impossible. In the past, evidence pointed to the shortcomings of this type of assessment. Testing in these types of conditions don’t typically allow students to be creative and don’t represent real-world work settings students will experience after graduation. Traditional testing focuses on recalling information instead of topic exploration. Open-book assessments like creating case studies and researching and writing papers, for instance, more clearly demonstrate learning – as well as curiosity and academic inquiry. Following the pandemic, professors should incorporate assessment as part of the learning journey.
Maintaining the professor-student partnership. Successful online learning requires a significant commitment from students and students have had to work closely with their professors to make the arrangement work. Going forward, students could take a more active role in their education, helping design activities and assessments and helping shape the format of live activities, for instance, by providing regular feedback.
Changing up the teaching approach. The sudden transition to an online learning model was challenging for both professors and students. However, when they had sufficient time to plan, professors were able to make online learning work for them by focusing on and designing the best activities to fit the subject matter. They got creative in their approaches. For instance, some professors replaced lectures with peer instruction and incorporated virtual field trips, for instance.
For more on bettering the student engagement process, go to:
Multi-Modal Curriculum Vital to Learning Engagement