I really want to make this post dedicated to the reflections we did in class in regards to this semester and it being online, etc… I think it will be neat to have this post to go back to when things eventually go back to normal (hopefully!!!) so I can read and reflect on how everything was and we were feeling during COVID. I am also going to clean up all of our thoughts into a way where it is easier to read and understand!

Brainstorm ideas capturing your experience of both the positive and negative aspects of learning online.

Positive:

  • Breakout rooms encourage group collaboration.
  • Don’t have to commute which gives more time for school and work.
  • Always in the comfort of our own home.
  • Can learn anywhere (we don’t have to be in Victoria).
  • We can stay in our pyjamas!
  • Don’t have to find babysitters or pet sitters.
  • Assignments are easier to do because we have more time, and more ability to ask teachers questions. (This is debatable for myself, not quite sure I agree with this!)
  • Less money spent on commuting.
  • More time for family, and work.
  • Schedule is more flexible.
  • We can meet more people, more often because we don’t have to plan a place, a time etc. we can now just send a zoom link and go.
  • Equal interaction because of breakout rooms, not always just sitting with someone you know like in a real classroom.
  • 8:30 am classes are easier to go to because we don’t have to wake up earlier to commute.
  • Easy to meet up with others for group projects.

Negative:

  • Professors have been unclear on many assignments’ criteria and it is frustrating .
  • Exhaustion from online learning.
  • Classes aren’t always on the same page as to workload and expectations.
  • Tuition is the same price even though it’s online and we’re using our own wifi to connect.
  • Zoom fatigue.
  • Being at home all the time is boring.
  • No real connection, wasn’t able to make friends as well as had been hoped.
  • Eyes hurt.
  • Back hurts from hunching over a computer all the time.
  • Hard to separate school time when at home.
  • Miss having time at school to work on assignments.
What types of online courses have you experienced this year, or in the past? Were they asynchronous, synchronous, or a combination of both?

Asynchronous:

  • Some pre-recorded videos.
  • -When COVID-19 first started and classes got moved to online, lectures got changed into pre-recorded Youtube videos.
  • Had a class that did not involve lectures, mostly just readings. Occasionally the professor would post a video of herself talking.

Synchronous:

  • Zoom classes and google meets.
  • Discord classes last (school)year with the video being live streamed on Youtube and audio through Discord.
How was the asynchronous component communicated and conducted?
  • Pre-recorded videos (lecture types) which were posted in Brightspace content section.
  • Google classroom assignments.
  • Blog posts from website.
What types of resources were used to communicate asynchronously?
  • Course spaces
.
  • Contact through email or course platform.
What was the synchronous component like?
  • On Zoom, hard to focus when not engaged.
How did the combination of asynchronous and synchronous communication work?
  • Pre-recorded videos posted on Saturday and then meeting synchronously every friday through Zoom.
What is made only possible for teaching and learning when conducted face to face?
  • Most physical activities as a group.
  • Chemistry and Biological labs.
  • PE class, team games.
  • Tough to play music together. Lag on zoom only allows for one person to play.
  • Working on group projects easily.
  • Connect with others face to face.
  • More interactive.
  • Drama online – creating a skit as a group.
  • Experiments that require specific resources – dissections, chemicals.

What is made only possible for teaching and learning when conducted online? 

  • Breakout rooms providing a private space for groups to talk and work on projects.
  • Staying in bed when in class (when sick, or not feeling up for it but still want to listen).
  • Remote learning.
  • Grouping up is quicker online, if teacher directed. Takes longer face to face to break into groups.