Page 23 - ICE Today May - June 2020

educators and students alike. mimic real-life class
Last week a couple of
students of mine complained
about the unstable internet.
One of them had to use
mobile data to complete
assignments. A colleague of
mine who is also an educator
peak of the curve. I don't complained that her ISP
even want to imagine the gap (internet service provider) was
that will emerge and exist in very slow in responding to the
terms of people's access to internet trouble they were
technology. This gap is not having last week. Faculty
only between the developed members in my department,
and developing countries; in general, are going through a
rather, there will be gaps even learning curve to learn new
in the rural and urban tools to conduct video
populations living in conferences and utilize other
developing countries. available tools to conduct
Education is a difficult one to online classes. Students are
categorize- is it an essential lost amidst notifications from
business that must stay open several classes they are taking;
during a pandemic, or is it they are exhausted.
non-prioritized during an The prospects for online
epidemic and hence should learning are good, but only up
remain shut like other to a certain point. Many
non-essential businesses? Can universities worldwide offer
developing countries afford to online classes where materials
make education a priority are distributed through video
while the public and private lectures. Engagement in those EDUCATION IS A
resources are exhausted with classes is garnered through DIFFICULT ONE TO
mitigation efforts? I am sure discussion boards and other CATEGORIZE- IS IT
there are arguments on both interactive and creative
sides, and priorities will shift assignments. However, there is AN ESSENTIAL
depending on how long this a reason why universities BUSINESS THAT
pandemic wreaks havoc. But restrict online classes to one MUST STAY OPEN
for now, the world collectively per semester. Online courses
needs to prepare for the are offered to ease the course DURING A
massive transformation from loads to students who deal PANDEMIC, OR IS IT
a "physical world" to "a virtual with heavy course loads, NON-PRIORITIZED
one" in all front of their lives. professional training such as
And us educators need to internships, and other DURING AN
prepare for a new extracurricular activities. True EPIDEMIC AND
environment, with possible that there are online master’s HENCE SHOULD
consequences that could hurt degree programs that are REMAIN SHUT LIKE
the students more than the designed to be completed
institutions or us. online, but those too are for OTHER
The future of online classes, working professionals who NON-ESSENTIAL
as I foresee, leads to three need an advanced degree. I BUSINESSES?
main trajectories that we will have taught undergraduate
need to reimagine: access to courses, both online and
technology, learning, and in-person classes, and also in
privacy and security. First and hybrid environments. And my
foremost, there will be no experience says that I can only
online learning if there's no utilize my full potential only in
access to technology. And by a face to face class. In a face
access, I don't only mean to face class, it is easier for me
having access to high-speed to create engagement, give my
internet, or a desktop, or a students voice, and be their
laptop; access can also mean mentors and facilitator besides
having the necessary skills to being an educator. One may
be able to navigate a digital argue that the same thing can
landscape. The problem of be achieved through web
access, therefore, affects the conferences that started to
ICE TODAY MAY-JUNE 2020
experiences- thanks to Zoom,
Blue Jeans, and other such
platforms. I would refute and
say that I found it hard to
make individual connections
with students through these
virtual platforms. Correct me
if I am wrong, but I think I
was right to assess that my
students felt the same way.
And if that affects their
learning, then it is safe to say
that on-campus learning may
be a quality differentiator after
all.
Lastly, security and privacy-
the two fundamental aspects
of our civic life that seem to
be continuously fading in the
highly invasive digital
landscape. There are already
cases where Zoom sessions
are being interrupted by
unwanted and unrecognized
users. It is worrisome because
we are not only dealing with
interruptions here but also
dealing with someone
invading the intimate setting
of the learning environment
of a class. And this can raise
privacy concerns for students
and the work that they do and
create an intimidating
atmosphere where they are no
longer able to articulate their
thoughts. From an educator’s
side, this can mean someone
toying with my lesson plans
and disrupting my valuable
time with my students.
I am a huge advocate of
digital tools, but I am not a
technological determinist. I
believe that we could and
should use digital tools and
virtual platforms when it is
necessary. But we should be
mindful of those who lack
access and find alternatives for
them. If online classes are the
new normal, then educators
like me need to spend way
more time with each student
of us, making sure that they
get the right amount of
nourishment from us that they
deserve. And by all means, we
should make sure that we can
ensure a secure and
open environment where
everyone can learn and share
without fear.
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