The future of in-person learning: professor discusses feasibility of returning

The future of in-person learning: professor discusses feasibility of returning

Maria Simpson / Assistant News Editor

At the start of the Spring 2021 semester, USD offered certain classes, such as labs and recreation courses, in person. As of Feb. 12, USD encountered a setback as COVID-19 cases on campus shot up in the past few weeks, so those in-person courses were moved back online. According to USD’s COVID-19 Dashboard, cases on campus have recently declined. Since the beginning of the spring semester, it has been a stated goal that if cases in the county drop (which the vaccine might render possible) and San Diego enters into the red tier, USD will attempt a hybrid learning approach.

The possibility of moving classes back to campus and learning in a classroom setting once again holds a swarm of unknowns and kinks to be worked through. First and foremost, professors would have to be willing to return to campus themselves for this transition to happen, and there could be a lot of bumps along that road. 

Just as students may have a preference toward staying online or going back to in-person, professors have their own opinions and concerns. Yi Sun, Ph.D., a professor of the history department, is a proponent of returning to campus, but only when it is safe to do so. 

“I would continue online teaching but would like to go back to campus if a vaccine is available,” Sun said. Returning to in-person instruction once USD is on track with staff and student vaccinations on campus would be a smart and safe way to significantly lower risk of spreading the virus, but that time period depends on when the county approves distribution for those specific groups, so it could be a significant amount of time before that is possible.

Returning to in-person instruction would come with a lot of benefits. Many teachers and students have acknowledged that the biggest difference would probably be the impact of human interaction. First year Alexandra Hill shared that what she misses most about in-person class is socializing with other students.

“Especially being a freshman, it’s hard to meet new people in class on Zoom,” Hill said. While Zoom is technically equipped to facilitate questions or chatting, breakout rooms hold nowhere near the same effect as hanging out with other students and instructors in a real classroom. 

The online format has made it much more difficult for new students to get to know people in their classes and form friendships, which are staples of the college experience. 

“I reminisce about times when my teachers would crack a joke and the class would burst out laughing — that doesn’t happen over Zoom,” first year Paige Gehringer said. “It’s just awkward silence.” 

Similarly, professors have not had the same ability to bond with students either. Many professors take up their profession because they are passionate about helping their students learn and grow. Online schooling hinders teachers from establishing the connections that make their jobs fulfilling. 

“I would love to see my students in person,” Sun said. “While I try my best to create an interactive Zoom class, it is still not the same as in-person teaching and learning.” 

In-person classes could also push students to be more motivated about their work. It is known that focusing on a screen for long periods of time makes it easier to become distracted and it can be draining to the mind and body, so a more interactive experience is sure to alleviate that.        

As debates continue on the possibility of returning to campus, it is important to remember that online schooling is a much safer option and COVID-19 is still a very present issue. In-person learning could only happen if a lot of safety measures were taken. While students would still have the option of staying online, the majority of professors would have to agree to return to campus for in-person classes to happen,  putting them at more risk. Sun also shared another possible issue with switching. 

“If a proposed return happens later this semester, say after spring break, the transition may be more disruptive than what is worth,” Sun said. A fast turn around could mean a lot of stress and pressure on teachers and students alike. 

There are many uncertainties right now and when students and professors will be able to return to a classroom environment once again is one of them.