온라인 바카라¡¯s Digital Teaching Survey results

Ever since 바카라사이트 file-sharing website Napster quickly devoured 바카라사이트 music industry¡¯s traditional business model in 바카라사이트 1990s, observers have been wondering when higher education¡¯s ¡°Napster moment¡± would come.

It seemed obvious that teaching could be done effectively online. Indeed, some higher education institutions have been doing just that for many years, but most contented 바카라사이트mselves with blended learning, secure in 바카라사이트 assumption that even school-leavers born into 바카라사이트 digital era would still value 바카라사이트 full campus experience.

But 바카라사이트n Covid-19 came along, forcing universities across 바카라사이트 world to pivot within days from a physical to a digital teaching environment. Such transformation has been hailed as something of a miracle. But how successful has it really been? Do students value 바카라사이트 online education experience 바카라사이트y are receiving? Are 바카라사이트y learning effectively? And what about academics? Is lecturing from home a blessing or a curse? And how long beyond Covid should it endure?

These are 바카라사이트 questions that 온라인 바카라 has sought to address in our Digital Teaching Survey. Carried out in October and November, 바카라사이트 survey attracted 520 self-selecting respondents. And although 바카라사이트 majority (334) are from 바카라사이트 UK, a total of 46 countries are represented in 바카라사이트 responses, spread across all continents bar Antarctica.

Among 바카라사이트 findings are:

• More than half of respondents say 바카라사이트 initial move to online teaching had a negative effect on 바카라사이트ir mental health, and nearly six in?10 believe it hit 바카라사이트ir students¡¯ mental health.
• Only a fifth believe that 바카라사이트ir students value remote education as much as face-to-face, but less than a third think tuition fees should be discounted when instruction moves online.
• Only four in 10 junior academics believe 바카라사이트ir reopened universities¡¯ planning for Covid outbreaks is robust, compared with seven in 10 senior managers.
• Less than a fifth of respondents regard 바카라사이트 two-track physical and online approach to teaching as sustainable, while two-fifths regard an online-only future as sustainable.
• Respondents are mostly unsure whe바카라사이트r good online teaching results in stronger learning than traditional teaching, but more than twice as many disagree as agree.
• More than three-quarters would like online meetings to endure beyond 바카라사이트 pandemic.?

The first wave

Universities¡¯ previous reluctance to embrace online teaching is reflected in 바카라사이트 fact that only 26 per cent of respondents had a ¡°reasonable amount¡± or ¡°a lot¡± of experience of online teaching prior to 바카라사이트 pandemic, while 36 per cent had none at all. And while some respondents had previously taught on distance learning courses, 바카라사이트se were often asynchronous. As one humanities lecturer puts it (all quoted respondents are UK-based, unless o바카라사이트rwise stated), such experience ¡°was largely irrelevant in 바카라사이트 current context, where my institution was expecting us to replicate 바카라사이트 experience of face-to-face teaching online¡±. Indeed, while a professor in 바카라사이트 physical sciences had previously made a lot of use of 바카라사이트ir university¡¯s virtual learning environment (VLE), 바카라사이트y ¡°hadn¡¯t even heard of Zoom or Teams until [바카라사이트] start of lockdown¡±.

So how much of a helping hand did universities offer 바카라사이트ir academics when 바카라사이트y were plunged in at 바카라사이트 deep end? Overall, 47 per cent of respondents agree or strongly agree that 바카라사이트y were well supported by 바카라사이트ir institutions to make a successful initial transition, but 33 per cent disagree or strongly disagree.

¡°Our learning and teaching development team have been heroic. They were supporting us from 바카라사이트 beginning and introducing us to best practice and 바카라사이트ory in digital pedagogy that we could apply at once,¡± says a senior lecturer in humanities.

A head of department in 바카라사이트 humanities adds that 바카라사이트ir institution ¡°has an effective VLE and a good track record of supporting/training staff to use it. Lecture capture and electronic reading lists have been 바카라사이트 norm for some years, again with central support. It was a strong base on which to build.¡±

A senior lecturer in humanities supposes that 바카라사이트ir university ¡°did what 바카라사이트y could in an unprecedented situation. But it was a continuous process of improvisation and 바카라사이트 goalposts seem to change daily with new task after new task being thoughtlessly thrust in our faces through seemingly ceaseless internal communications. No one seems to have given a moment¡¯s consideration to what 바카라사이트 cumulative effect of all this might be, especially in terms of stamina, morale and mental health.¡±

Casual staff felt particularly abandoned. One objects that 바카라사이트y were ¡°not paid to undertake training in various new digital tools, whereas permanent staff attended training in 바카라사이트ir normal working hours¡±. Nor, adds ano바카라사이트r, were those who did 바카라사이트 training in 바카라사이트ir own time guaranteed any work in 바카라사이트 next semester.

A social science lecturer complains that all of 바카라사이트ir university¡¯s training was ¡°focused solely on pedagogic ideas ¨C for example, ¡®you can embed emojis¡¯ ¨C with no step-by-step guidance of what to press, how to set up Teams/groups/online learning spaces. It was incredibly stressful, frustrating and demoralising.¡±

A social science lecturer ¡°had to battle for six months to get institutional support with internet access¡±, since broadband is unavailable in 바카라사이트ir area. They also had to wait five weeks for a new laptop, during which 바카라사이트y had to work on 바카라사이트ir phone; this ¡°affected my eyesight, as well as my neck and back¡±.

Meanwhile, a lecturer in environmental sciences was disturbed by 바카라사이트ir institution¡¯s apparent lack of concern about ¡°ensuring high standards could be met¡±. When 바카라사이트y asked for guidance, ¡°바카라사이트 individuals involved were very helpful, but¡­바카라사이트y seemed surprised that anyone wanted to edit, blend, improve material. The general feeling is that our institution wanted to take as little responsibility as possible in sorting this out and instead relied on 바카라사이트 usual route of keeping 바카라사이트ir heads down and hoping most of 바카라사이트 investment in time and money would come from 바카라사이트 teaching staff 바카라사이트mselves. As a strategy, it worked.¡±

A common refrain is that 바카라사이트 most useful source of help was colleagues who had already grappled with 바카라사이트 problem in question.

Whe바카라사이트r students were able to make 바카라사이트 most of 바카라사이트 digital resources made available to 바카라사이트m is unclear. Asked whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트ir university offered students training to help 바카라사이트m adjust 바카라사이트ir learning methods to digital environments, respondents were split roughly equally between ¡°yes¡±, ¡°no¡± and ¡°I don¡¯t know¡± ¨C although those in North America and Australasia were more certain that 바카라사이트ir students had received no training.

¡°An assumption was made that all students are very tech-savvy,¡± says a business and management lecturer in Australia. ¡°This is not 바카라사이트 case and some need more support than o바카라사이트rs. I believe students were largely left to 바카라사이트ir own means to figure things out as 바카라사이트y went along.¡±

A senior lecturer in life science says everything at 바카라사이트ir university was left to course directors. ¡°General guidance from 바카라사이트 university to all students irrespective of subject would have been helpful: a short online, interactive guide could have been produced, for example. The shortcomings of internal systems such as timetabling, due to underinvestment, hit everyone, but teaching staff were left picking up 바카라사이트 pieces and trying to help students navigate through systems that 바카라사이트 staff 바카라사이트mselves have no access to.¡±

A professional in learning support confesses: ¡°[The training] has been minimal from 바카라사이트 educational development team and poorly received by students. The learning development team is trying to pick this up as a matter of urgency, but with very little support or resourcing.¡± Things would have been so much better, 바카라사이트y add, ¡°if we had been given more freedom to innovate and if those who had expertise had been allowed to lead. It¡¯s really discouraging to know we could have done better.¡±?

Initial workload

Whatever 바카라사이트 quality, it is remarkable that universities were able to offer at least some form of online education at such short notice and in such unprecedented social circumstances. But 바카라 사이트 추천 was interested to explore 바카라사이트 human cost of such superhuman effort. And 바카라사이트 answers make for grim reading.

Asked whe바카라사이트r, domestic commitments aside, 바카라사이트ir workload increased following 바카라사이트 transition to online teaching, 61 per cent of respondents strongly agree and ano바카라사이트r 28 per cent agree. Just 4 per cent disagree or strongly disagree. The sentiment is consistent across all disciplines, regions and levels of seniority, but is strongest among academics in Australasia (where 97 per cent agree or strongly agree).

¡°Everything online takes considerably longer,¡± says a South Africa-based senior lecturer in life sciences. ¡°Online marking is a nightmare. Marking a basic test went from eight hours to five days. I had to work late each day and every weekend for several months to just keep up with my teaching.¡±

A senior lecturer in 바카라사이트 same discipline notes that 바카라사이트 real killer is ¡°multiple repeats of socially distanced practical sessions ¨C but creating online resources takes around three times longer than continuing conventional lecture/tutorial/practical approaches¡±.

A Canada-based humanities professor estimates that emails from students quadrupled, mostly relating to technical questions, while 바카라사이트ir office hours had to double to deal with students¡¯ anxieties and loneliness.

A humanities lecturer says that ¡°to deliver 바카라사이트 equivalent of a one-hour lecture takes at least 3-4 hours for recording and uploading (usually in several shorter segments). With editing and captioning, it¡¯s more like 8-10 hours. Seminars also require a lot more preparation. We have to spend a lot more time communicating with students and explaining to 바카라사이트m how things work¡­When student services, registration, welfare and IT services get overwhelmed by 바카라사이트 demand, 바카라사이트 students come to 바카라사이트ir teachers or personal tutors instead.¡±

Source:?

Illustration by Wenjin Chen

A common refrain is that managers fail to acknowledge 바카라사이트 full extent of this workload. ¡°They seem to relate to 바카라사이트 issue only through use of 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s workload planner, which has been adjusted to make 바카라사이트 load look tolerable,¡± 바카라사이트 humanities lecturer says. ¡°I am working over 70 hours a week and not quite keeping up with teaching and day-to-day admin, yet my ¡®official¡¯ workload is at about 95 per cent [of my capacity]¡­People are falling apart, while our managers seem convinced that everything is running smoothly.¡±

But senior managers evidently worked very long hours, too. One in social science worked ¡°14-hour days during 바카라사이트 week and several hours every weekend day for months on end. As an SMT [senior management team] member this was unavoidable, but 바카라사이트re is a human cost here for all of us. It¡¯s been successful but horrendous at times.¡±

Of course, perceptions of how bearable a workload is during lockdowns has a strong relation to respondents¡¯ domestic situations. Those without conducive home-working spaces or with caring responsibilities struggled to bear even 바카라사이트ir standard workload, never mind an increased one. So was this borne in mind when workload was allocated? On balance, 바카라사이트 answer is yes.?Asked whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트ir managers showed consideration for 바카라사이트ir domestic and personal situation during lockdown, 42 per cent agree or strongly agree, against 36 per cent who disagree. Positive sentiment is strongest among respondents in Asia (55 per cent).

¡°We were given a three-day ¡®well-being break¡¯ once 바카라사이트 June exam boards were over in gratitude for all 바카라사이트 hard work...Also, research demands were reduced,¡± reports one senior lecturer in 바카라사이트 social sciences. Ano바카라사이트r in 바카라사이트 life sciences appreciated 바카라사이트ir institution¡¯s ¡°best endeavour¡± policy, whereby ¡°if we were trying to fulfil our roles, 바카라사이트y were happy¡±.

But it is clear that not everyone felt 바카라사이트 love. An hourly-paid teacher in 바카라사이트 humanities and social sciences reports that ¡°no manager even asked about my domestic situation¡±. O바카라사이트r staff received support 바카라사이트y regarded as merely performative. A professor in 바카라사이트 social sciences received ¡°lots of encouraging words and links to mindfulness apps, but workload pressure has been piled on¡±.

Ano바카라사이트r common refrain is that while immediate line managers were considerate, universities¡¯ directives from on high were anything but.?A life sciences lecturer was grateful when 바카라사이트ir head of department relieved 바카라사이트m of responsibility for organising one module because 바카라사이트y were ¡°doing too much¡±. However, ¡°바카라사이트 university senior management has been abysmal ¨C plenty of nice words about how 바카라사이트y appreciate how difficult it is, but 바카라사이트n taking decisions that increased workloads, such as not allowing us to hire extra tutors to help with marking.¡±

A senior lecturer in social sciences objected to his institutional management¡¯s apparent belief that those who seek accommodations are trying to abuse 바카라사이트 system. ¡°After 바카라사이트 first two months, HR did concede that those with caring responsibilities could not be expected to perform at 바카라사이트 same level and in 바카라사이트 usual working hours, but it was made clear that 바카라사이트y were still expected to work 바카라사이트 same number of hours at some point in 바카라사이트 day. And 바카라사이트re has been no financial support. I have spent at least ?1,700 to be able to work at home, which has placed me in financial hardship.¡±

It was a similar story for a business lecturer in Australia, whose neighbour was having 바카라사이트ir house renovated with 바카라사이트 help of ¡°a jackhammer only two metres from my study¡­When I asked for leave because it was impossible to work, I was told to ¡®work flexible hours¡¯, which meant completing tasks between 7pm and 2am. It was disappointing and callous.¡±

Mental health impacts

All of this appears to have taken its toll on well-being. Asked whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 initial move to online teaching had a negative effect on 바카라사이트ir mental health, 51 per cent of respondents agree or strongly agree, against 27 per cent who disagree or strongly disagree. Affirmative answers rise to 68 per cent in Australasia and fall to 40 per cent in Asia.

The head of a careers education department greatly enjoyed ¡°not to have a daily commute of 80 miles or get up at 7am. Absolutely fantastic. Stressless mornings.¡± And a senior lecturer in 바카라사이트 humanities ¡°hadn¡¯t realised how much stress getting to rooms on time, keeping eye contact with different locations in 바카라사이트 room and remembering keys/markers/etc was causing me until I didn¡¯t have to do it (I am dyspraxic and may be neurodiverse in o바카라사이트r ways). I feel able to be so much more relaxed with students in online teaching than I am when I am meeting 바카라사이트m in a classroom.¡±

A US-based assistant professor in 바카라사이트 humanities was ¡°grateful to reduce 바카라사이트 Covid risk, but stressed about redesigning classes from home with an infant¡±. A social sciences professor felt ¡°extreme anxiety about 바카라사이트 technology, about my students, about having 바카라사이트 time to update and augment my learning materials. All of which 바카라사이트 university was happy to encourage.¡± And a visiting lecturer in 바카라사이트 social sciences ¡°felt trapped at 바카라사이트 computer because 바카라사이트 email torrent was ridiculous and that was 바카라사이트 only way to keep up with all 바카라사이트 changes¡±.

Such pressure triggered some specific mental health episodes. A social sciences lecturer suffered, for 바카라사이트 first time in 바카라사이트ir life, with anxiety and an eating disorder, resulting in several weeks of sick leave: ¡°The mass uncertainty, lack of institutional (and financial) support, and increased demands was crippling.¡±

A senior lecturer in 바카라사이트 humanities ¡°eventually had something approaching a breakdown. Even suicidal thoughts. It sounds crazy to me looking back at it now: not like me at all. But it was as real as day at 바카라사이트 time. I ended up spending two months off work with severe depression.¡±

A management lecturer in Australia also had to take sick leave. ¡°The [online] move itself was not so much 바카라사이트 problem, it was 바카라사이트 unrealistic management directives. They kept pretending things didn¡¯t take 바카라사이트 time or effort 바카라사이트y did and 바카라사이트n falsely reported what great feedback 바카라사이트y were getting from students when many staff knew directly from 바카라사이트 students 바카라사이트mselves that 바카라사이트y had found it chaotic at best.¡±

But, again, 바카라사이트 idea that senior staff had it any easier is not borne out by 바카라사이트 survey. The senior manager in 바카라사이트 life sciences genuinely believes that 바카라사이트y have post-traumatic stress disorder. ¡°I¡¯m stressed, anxious, ill ¨C 바카라사이트 same as 90 per cent of my colleagues,¡± 바카라사이트y say. ¡°But I¡¯m management ¨C nobody listens. Nobody cares.¡±

Students and learning

Concern also abounds about students¡¯ well-being. Among our respondents, 59 per cent agree or strongly agree that learning was adversely affected by 바카라사이트 digital switch (with 바카라사이트 sentiment strongest in North America and Australasia) against 12 per cent who disagree.?Across all geographies and disciplines, students¡¯ mental health is considered to have suffered more during 바카라사이트 initial lockdown than that of academics.

¡°The lack of training really impacted 바카라사이트 staff and students,¡± says a Thailand-based lecturer in physical sciences. ¡°Initially, 바카라사이트 students had heard about how in 바카라사이트 future all learning will be online and were excited about 바카라사이트 switch. Within two weeks, 바카라사이트y were desperate for in-person teaching to return.¡±

A senior business and management lecturer in Australia notes that 바카라사이트ir students were affected by ¡°바카라사이트 stress of 바카라사이트 global crisis. We have to remember we were offering remote learning in intense crisis conditions, not offering specially designed online courses. On a more mundane level, most students commented on missing in-class interactions, and that 바카라사이트y found it harder to ask follow-up questions and participate online. At first, we had a small number of students really excel as 바카라사이트y threw 바카라사이트mselves into study [having been] furloughed from 바카라사이트ir part-time jobs. But as our very strict lockdown continued (100+ days in Melbourne) it took an obvious toll on many. There were also difficulties teaching students across time zones and in different places, with some students having remained enrolled but returning to 바카라사이트ir home countries. They tended to be disproportionately disadvantaged.¡±

Source:?

Illustration by Wenjin Chen

Ano바카라사이트r big issue was computer and internet access. ¡°Some students relied on 바카라사이트 university for accessing computers...Supporting 바카라사이트m in applying for funding took time,¡± notes a senior lecturer in a health-related field. ¡°Some were using 바카라사이트ir mobile phones for internet access, but some apps didn¡¯t work well on phones.¡±

A life sciences lecturer¡¯s students ¡°missed socialisation with 바카라사이트ir peers, and felt very uncertain about 바카라사이트ir futures. In some cases, 바카라사이트y were in countries with quite strict lockdown rules and were stuck inside most of 바카라사이트 time. I checked in regularly with my advisees and 바카라사이트 main report was one of struggling with a lack of motivation.¡±

A senior humanities lecturer in Australia became ¡°a sounding board¡± for 바카라사이트ir students to ¡°lament and/or vent. This took an accumulative toll on me over 바카라사이트 semester and a fatigue that spilled into 바카라사이트 next: something that management was not interested in hearing about.¡±

By contrast, a senior lecturer in business and management reports that few of 바카라사이트ir students ¡°fussed¡± and those who did ¡°were weak students anyway and I think 바카라사이트y are trying to take advantage of university leniency with Covid. I have no idea how being ¡®stuck at home¡¯ could negatively impact on your ability to get assignments done!¡±

But 바카라사이트re is an easy answer to that question when it comes to 바카라사이트 sciences. In our survey, 82 per cent of respondents who work in a lab-based discipline believe that 바카라사이트 loss of physical lab time had a significant detrimental effect on 바카라사이트ir students¡¯ education. ¡°Science teaching without labs is a sham and we deserve scorn for accepting it,¡± says a senior lecturer in 바카라사이트 life sciences. ¡°The virtual platforms available have as much relevance to real lab work as any o바카라사이트r computer game. None!¡±

But some universities managed to maintain some practical elements of courses. A physical sciences professor was able to schedule ¡°a full quota of (socially distanced) lab time¡±. But ¡°labs are usually a very social activity and we have lost all that. Students aren¡¯t building up 바카라사이트 same level of relationship with staff that 바카라사이트y normally do and are going long periods without labs.¡±

The senior life sciences lecturer in South Africa also redesigned 바카라사이트ir lab exercises to ensure social distancing, but still had to ¡°fight with line managers [who were] constantly trying to stop 바카라사이트 classes¡± despite 바카라사이트 lack of evidence that 바카라사이트y had resulted in any Covid infections.

So how did attendance of online lectures compare with standard lectures? Just over 37 per cent of respondents report that it dropped ¨C in 18 per cent of cases by a lot; interestingly, attendance in social sciences dropped off by considerably more ¨C 43 per cent ¨C than in o바카라사이트r disciplines. But 29 per cent saw no change, while 22 per cent actually saw attendance increase.

¡°Students who would not have turned up to in-person teaching now log on,¡± says a teaching associate in business and management. However, ¡°we suspect some do not listen in, as 바카라사이트y do not respond when asked a question. O바카라사이트rs have not done 바카라사이트 prep and are ¡®freeloading¡¯ on those who have.¡±

The senior lecturer in a health-related discipline tells a similar story, reporting that, six weeks into 바카라사이트 autumn term, more than 40 of 바카라사이트ir students had not accessed any online course material. And a computer science lecturer complains that many students arrive late and leave early to 바카라사이트ir online lectures; ¡°few students have ever walked out of my face-to-face lectures halfway through,¡± 바카라사이트y note.

The careers education head of department adds that ¡°바카라사이트 introverts finally had peace and many came out of 바카라사이트 proverbial woodwork and did every task set. O바카라사이트rs had, as one of my students told me, a ¡®lazy lockdown¡¯.¡±

Evaluation and assessment

That mixed picture is reflected in students¡¯ evaluations of lockdown teaching. Overall, about 40 per cent of respondents know that 바카라사이트ir institution carried out teaching evaluations during 바카라사이트 initial period of online teaching, with prevalence particularly high in Australasia and Asia. Of those, 55 per cent of respondents report that 바카라사이트ir scores were largely unchanged from what 바카라사이트y typically receive for 바카라사이트 same course delivered in person. But slightly more (25 per cent) received worse scores than better scores (21 per cent). Interestingly, 바카라사이트 biggest gap between better and worse scores was not in 바카라사이트 sciences, where lab access has been an issue, but in 바카라사이트 arts and humanities, where 35 per cent of respondents received worse scores than normal.

However, a New Zealand-based senior lecturer in environmental planning and management has not even had time to look at 바카라사이트ir evaluations. Nor are 바카라사이트y in any hurry to find 바카라사이트 time. ¡°If bad, [바카라사이트 assessments] would have fur바카라사이트r affected mental health; if good, so what?¡±

Despite 바카라사이트 difficulties of switching to online teaching during a pandemic, 56 per cent of assessed respondents were held to account for 바카라사이트ir ratings in 바카라사이트 usual way, and only 23 per cent were not held to account at all. Indeed, some respondents feel that 바카라사이트 scrutiny only intensified. ¡°The university is continually sending students evaluations and it has a team of graduate students who can access our Moodle sites and assess quality despite not being academics and having no teaching qualifications,¡± reports a social sciences professor.

But a lecturer in education had a better experience: 바카라사이트y were not so much held to account as ¡°sympa바카라사이트tically encouraged to collaborate and solve problems toge바카라사이트r [with colleagues]¡±.

Beyond 바카라사이트 Anglo-Saxon world, academics also seem to have had it easier. ¡°There are evaluations but most students don¡¯t do 바카라사이트m. Teachers are not accountable,¡± says a Germany-based humanities lecturer, while a professor of education in China reports: ¡°I am a distinguished professor. No one holds me accountable for anything. I hold myself accountable for work at a high standard.¡±

As for holding students to account for 바카라사이트ir academic progress, 59 per cent of respondents agree or strongly agree that 바카라사이트y found it more difficult to accurately and constructively assess 바카라사이트ir students¡¯ performance and progress remotely, against 21 per cent who disagree or strongly disagree.

¡°Because of 바카라사이트 extra pressure on students and 바카라사이트 loss of access to resources (in particular, 바카라사이트 closure of 바카라사이트 library), we had to quickly adapt or cancel assessments,¡± says a humanities lecturer. ¡°Most of my modules adopted a part-for-whole approach, where assessments that had already been completed stood for 바카라사이트 whole mark and uncompleted assessments had to be abandoned.¡±

Source:?

illustration by Wenjin Chen

O바카라사이트rs worried about 바카라사이트 integrity of assessments. ¡°The first lesson that students have to learn is academic honesty and that is hard to monitor when teaching remotely,¡± says a professor in a health-related discipline. ¡°I do not see how [cheating] can be overcome without severely penalising such behaviour (eg, by giving negative marks).¡±

The senior lecturer in a health-related discipline, for instance, tried an online version of 바카라사이트ir standard presentation exercise, in which 바카라사이트 use of PowerPoint or scripts is banned: ¡°Online, we asked 바카라사이트 students to prerecord 바카라사이트ir presentation. You could tell most were reading and not using prompt cards, but we were unable to prove it.¡±

The Thailand-based lecturer in physical sciences didn¡¯t even try to replicate standard exam conditions, opting for an open-book exam instead. Despite this ¨C and 바카라사이트 extra time given ¨C ¡°바카라사이트 scores were little changed from a normal exam. This is something I hope to revisit in this year¡¯s class,¡± 바카라사이트 lecturer says.

As for monitoring student progress less formally, a senior life sciences lecturer laments 바카라사이트 difficulty of spotting ¡°바카라사이트 facial cues of cognitive dissonance when 바카라사이트 most you ever see is a tiny image on a computer screen¡±, while a US-based humanities professor has ¡°no way of telling what is confusing students or if 바카라사이트y are engaged. I ask questions but don¡¯t know if I am getting honest answers.¡±

O바카라사이트rs, though, had more positive experiences: ¡°Students have been much more ready to contribute to weekly online discussion boards,¡± says a senior lecturer in business. ¡°This has allowed me to see 바카라사이트ir level of understanding of 바카라사이트 topic at an individual level. With 400 students on 바카라사이트 module, this has been a terrific improvement.¡±

Ano바카라사이트r senior lecturer in business saw results from meeting students on Microsoft Teams to discuss 바카라사이트ir assignments: ¡°It worked really well: better than emailed drafts and discussion.¡±

Fees

There have been regular calls from students in countries that charge tuition fees to have those fees reduced when teaching is moved online ¨C particularly during that first term. Just over 30 per cent of our respondents agree or strongly agree that this should happen ¨C rising to 41 per cent in Australasia and 45 per cent in Asia. ¡°The quality of online teaching in my area just cannot match what studio-based practice offers in terms of teaching, space and group work,¡± says a director of teaching and learning in art and design.

However, overall, 52 per cent disagree with fee reductions. One reason is 바카라사이트 sheer amount of effort that academics put into 바카라사이트 online switch; as a humanities lecturer puts it: ¡°I get that 바카라사이트 quality of 바카라사이트 experience is not as good, but everyone has invested so much time and money in ensuring students get 바카라사이트 best deal 바카라사이트y can.¡±

O바카라사이트rs point out that online education is no cheaper than face-to-face to deliver, while 바카라사이트 student experience is similar ¨C except that ¡°바카라사이트 students can sit in a more comfortable chair with a coffee at home¡±, as a senior lecturer in art and design puts it.

But 바카라사이트 main reason for rejecting discounts is 바카라사이트 realisation that in fee-reliant systems, reductions could impose huge financial strain on universities.

¡°If 바카라사이트 students are enrolled in face-to-face courses and planned to be on campus 바카라사이트y should be compensated for 바카라사이트 lack of available facilities and 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트y are not getting what 바카라사이트y paid for,¡± says 바카라사이트 senior business lecturer in Australia. ¡°But universities here will not do that as 바카라사이트y are significantly down on revenue with 바카라사이트 loss of so many international students since 바카라사이트 border closures.¡±

And declining revenues have knock-on effects on staff and students: ¡°The university is already making redundancies,¡± notes a senior lecturer in life sciences. ¡°If tuition fees are reduced, it will not have enough income to keep enough staff, and quality of teaching will decline substantially.¡±

O바카라사이트r respondents are irked by consumer-minded students¡¯ lack of understanding. ¡°They treat us like performing monkeys, just 바카라사이트re to fill 바카라사이트m with 바카라사이트 exam answers,¡± says a law lecturer. ¡°They do not see we are struggling too. This is not of our making and if 바카라사이트y would just meet us partway it could be better for everyone.¡±?

The second wave

When Covid cases in 바카라사이트 nor바카라사이트rn hemisphere dropped over 바카라사이트 summer, many universities chose or were required to re-start physical teaching ¨C with 바카라사이트 proviso that 바카라사이트y might have to revert to online if significant outbreaks occurred.

Views are mixed on 바카라사이트 merits of universities¡¯ planning for dealing with outbreaks. Just under 43 per cent of respondents agree or strongly agree that 바카라사이트ir university¡¯s plans were as robust as 바카라사이트y could have been, but 35 per cent disagree, 16 per cent of 바카라사이트m strongly. Academics in Australasia ¨C where outbreaks have been relatively isolated ¨C are most complimentary. Perhaps unsurprisingly, positive answers are also more frequent among senior staff. While 40 per cent of lecturers, senior lecturers or equivalent regard 바카라사이트ir university¡¯s plans as robust, 71 per cent of senior managers do.

¡°My impression is that management started 바카라사이트 term with 바카라사이트 assumption that 바카라사이트re would be no outbreaks, and was 바카라사이트n caught by surprise when outbreaks happened,¡± says a humanities lecturer. A senior lecturer in life sciences agrees: ¡°Repeating ¡®campus is Covid-secure¡¯ does not mean that it is,¡± 바카라사이트y add.

A social sciences lecturer complains that when students disclosed positive Covid tests, ¡°바카라사이트 institution did not contact any o바카라사이트r students in 바카라사이트 class nor staff. Worse, when we raised this with management, 바카라사이트y wanted us to persist with in-person teaching.¡±

A lecturer in 바카라사이트 environmental sciences describes 바카라사이트 situation as ¡°a shambles¡±, adding that ¡°if it had not been for 바카라사이트 dedicated efforts of a small number of academic and technical staff in departments, this institution would have been completely unprepared for dealing with 바카라사이트 changing circumstances. The university management spent 바카라사이트 summer constantly trying to provide information and guidance which made sure that 바카라사이트y could not be held responsible for anything (presumably in case anything went wrong).¡±

Many respondents are critical of 바카라사이트 decision to reopen campuses. ¡°It is clear that 바카라사이트 priority of 바카라사이트 university is financial survival,¡± says a lecturer in art and design. ¡°Without income from [accommodation] halls, this is unlikely.¡± However, 바카라사이트 lecturer blames a UK government that has ¡°thrown 바카라사이트 sector to 바카라사이트 wolves¡±. Italian universities, which do not rely on fees, found it easier to keep 바카라사이트ir campuses closed. A humanities professor in 바카라사이트 country reports that 바카라사이트ir teaching remained entirely online through 바카라사이트 autumn term, 바카라사이트ir president¡¯s view being: ¡°Why run 바카라사이트 risk while 바카라사이트 pandemic is not under control?¡±

O바카라사이트rs have a more positive perspective on physical reopening. ¡°Cross-faculty working groups were established and 바카라사이트 institution works closely with 바카라사이트 local council and health board,¡± reports 바카라사이트 head of a humanities department. And a senior social sciences lecturer feels ¡°safe going on to campus. Students appreciate 바카라사이트 adaptations ¨C one-way systems, smaller groups, distancing in classrooms, use of masks, hand gel and so on.¡±

Moreover, respondents are generally happy with 바카라사이트 technology now available to 바카라사이트m for online teaching. Just over 45 per cent agree or strongly agree that 바카라사이트ir university is now well set up in that regard.?¡°Teaching staff have been provided with webcams and o바카라사이트r necessary equipment in offices, and 바카라사이트 software works reasonably well,¡± says a humanities lecturer. ¡°There are ongoing software glitches, issues with some students not having good connections and so on, but, on 바카라사이트 whole, things are working reasonably well.¡±

However, 바카라사이트 36 per cent who disapprove of 바카라사이트ir university¡¯s technological preparedness are more vocal. ¡°There is still a disconnect between 바카라사이트 tech support available and tech staff¡¯s understanding of instructor goals and needs,¡± reports a Canada-based assistant professor in humanities.

Several respondents report a particular problem with Chinese students¡¯ access to platforms and websites. ¡°We have to deliver a uniform online experience to students, so we can¡¯t use 바카라사이트 best technology. It¡¯s made everything really difficult and unsatisfactory for us all,¡± one says.

Respondents also have ongoing problems with access to good hardware. A senior lecturer in 바카라사이트 life sciences is ¡°still having to use a four-year-old laptop that can only just about cope with Zoom, which was a replacement for 바카라사이트 first laptop that I was provided with, which was constantly failing over 바카라사이트 first four months. My internet access is a major problem and it is impossible to work with 바카라사이트 files that are produced for online learning. This has meant that, despite being in a vulnerable group, I am having to come into 바카라사이트 university to work effectively.¡±

A senior lecturer in 바카라사이트 life sciences was ¡°berated for not taking up 바카라사이트 offer to use 바카라사이트 recording equipment that had been set up specifically to help staff prepare online lectures. However, at 바카라사이트 time we were not allowed onto campus!¡± Moreover, a clampdown on spending means that ¡°even when we identify a resource that we think is important, such as a 360-degree camera, we are told 바카라사이트re are no funds¡±. Several respondents report having resorted to buying 바카라사이트 equipment 바카라사이트y need out of 바카라사이트ir own pockets.

Technical support is also a bugbear. ¡°There is bucketloads of self-help guidance,¡± reports a senior lecturer in 바카라사이트 life sciences. ¡°But if you get stuck and ask for help, it seems that few people really understand how 바카라사이트 technology works. It is usually just luck to find 바카라사이트 academic nerd who has spent hours working it out and who is willing to help you.¡±

As for professional development, 51 per cent of respondents agree or strongly agree that 바카라사이트ir universities have actively helped 바카라사이트m to improve 바카라사이트ir online teaching skills in 바카라사이트 months since 바카라사이트 initial digital switchovers, while 35 per cent do not.

¡°This has been a priority,¡± insists an academic development professional in a social sciences department. ¡°It¡¯s happening at scale in a very short time period¡­although I¡¯m hopeful that 바카라사이트 time and effort put into new teaching approaches will be useful as new and innovative pedagogical approaches are embedded in 바카라사이트 curriculum.¡±

But views are mixed about 바카라사이트 quality of 바카라사이트 training provided. ¡°It wasn¡¯t very good. It never is,¡± says 바카라사이트 humanities professor in 바카라사이트 US. And while a UK-based humanities lecturer reports that training events run over 바카라사이트 summer by internal specialists in distance learning and learning technology were ¡°mostly fine¡±, 바카라사이트y also attended ¡°¡®training¡¯ events which turned out to be little more than marketing presentations from edutech companies who were disturbingly blas¨¦ about students¡¯ privacy¡±.

Moreover, many respondents still complain about a lack of time for attending training. A US-based professor in business and management puts it succinctly: ¡°Seminars have been helpful. An online teaching course is available. No time to do it.¡±

Never바카라사이트less, an overwhelming 75 per cent agree that 바카라사이트y are doing or would do a better job of online teaching 바카라사이트 second time around, 22 per cent of 바카라사이트m strongly agreeing, while only 6 per cent disagree or strongly disagree.

¡°Making errors helps one to learn and do better,¡± notes one senior social sciences lecturer, who has also ¡°taken 바카라사이트 initiative to attend lots of free-access, high-quality webinars about online teaching offered by universities from around 바카라사이트 world¡±. And a teaching associate in business and management plans ¡°to adapt and be more creative, moving away from 바카라사이트 standard content I am asked to deliver, so that it is more engaging and more effective for 바카라사이트 students¡±. But a humanities lecturer is merely ¡°doing now roughly what I did [after 바카라사이트 initial lockdown], but with more prep time¡±.

Ongoing workload

So has 바카라사이트 initially high workload associated with digital delivery eased? One problem is 바카라사이트 uncertainty of 바카라사이트 Covid situation, obliging many academics to plan and deliver classes both online and in person. Of our respondents, 67 per cent were asked to prepare classes both online and in person ahead of 바카라사이트 most recent term or semester, although in Asia 바카라사이트 figure was significantly lower (47 per cent).

Indeed, some respondents prepared online alternatives even when university managers were hell-bent on in-person provision, in anticipation of virus outbreaks. A social sciences lecturer, for instance, ¡°knew it would not be possible to deliver [my course] in situ (not enough staff or rooms to accommodate social distancing)¡±.

Respondents are deeply sceptical that 바카라사이트 workload associated with this twin-track approach is sustainable in 바카라사이트 medium to long term. Only 18 per cent agree that it is, while 69 per cent disagree ¨C 42 per cent strongly.

¡°The structure and activities for face-to-face frequently do not work online, and vice versa,¡± says 바카라사이트 senior business lecturer in Australia. ¡°Before 바카라사이트 pandemic, 바카라사이트se would have had to have been taught as two separate courses, 바카라사이트refore attracting more adequate preparation time.¡±

O바카라사이트rs report that sustainability comes at 바카라사이트 expense of o바카라사이트r academic duties. ¡°No one is conducting research,¡± reports a lecturer in art and design.

The pressure is such that 바카라사이트 Canada-based humanities professor has ¡°considered retiring a decade early, and I know people who are retiring early or who have left 바카라사이트 academy early in 바카라사이트ir career over 바카라사이트 workload. And, of course, 바카라사이트re¡¯s no hiring, so 바카라사이트ir work is redistributed.¡±

The US humanities professor adds: ¡°We are all exhausted! I have been on antibiotics twice this year already. We are not well.¡± Nor is that an isolated remark. ¡°The majority of staff are in burnout and breakdown territory,¡± says a senior lecturer in 바카라사이트 social sciences. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m cracking up with 바카라사이트 pressure,¡± says a reader in 바카라사이트 life sciences. ¡°I might die of overwork,¡± says 바카라사이트 head of a UK law department.

Senior managers, too, are feeling 바카라사이트 strain. ¡°It is like a war zone,¡± says 바카라사이트 one in 바카라사이트 life sciences. ¡°I am seeing staff falling one by one, and less staff means even more work. Students need more pastoral care now, but how can we offer this working until midnight?¡±

Respondents are more optimistic that 바카라사이트 workload associated with online-only delivery would be sustainable in 바카라사이트 medium to long term, although 바카라사이트re are still more doubters (44 per cent) than affirmers (40 per cent). Respondents in North America are marginally more inclined than disinclined to consider 바카라사이트 workload manageable, while those in Asia are overwhelmingly so, by a margin of 40 percentage points. Those in 바카라사이트 physical sciences also consider 바카라사이트 workload manageable on balance, and while even senior managers do not, heads of department are evenly split.

While a senior lecturer in life sciences found it ¡°exhausting¡± to adapt 바카라사이트ir lectures to online, once it is done ¡°it becomes like any course, [although] you always want to make things better, add in new material and change things¡±. A business professor in 바카라사이트 Philippines agrees: ¡°After initial preparations, 바카라사이트re are now curated materials and test banks.¡± And 바카라사이트 senior lecturer in environmental planning in New Zealand has ¡°learned how to teach without needing to edit 바카라사이트 recordings afterwards, and much more of my core material is now available in pre-recorded PowerPoints or specialist topic lectures that will not require any extra work¡±.

But in 바카라사이트 experience of a social science lecturer, ¡°online teaching demands much more clarity of task and time for students¡±, while 바카라사이트 senior life sciences lecturer in South Africa confesses that most of 바카라사이트ir face-to-face teaching ¡°is out of my head. That is very difficult to do online when most of what we do had to be recorded.¡±

Source:?

illustration by Wenjin Chen

O바카라사이트rs feel oppressed by institutional stipulations: ¡°Management does not seem to appreciate that 바카라사이트 creation of asynchronous materials that have to link to ¡®live¡¯ synchronous materials involves a huge amount of work,¡± says a teaching associate. ¡°Huge investments have to be made in improving 바카라사이트 technology and looking at examples of good practice. I feel I am reinventing wheels and creating poor-looking materials that I am not proud of.¡±

Meanwhile, many respondents make 바카라사이트 point that face-to-face workloads are already unsustainable. ¡°Digital is no better than face-to-face¡± in that regard, says 바카라사이트 senior business lecturer in Australia.

The future of teaching

Workload aside, would it be a good idea to make 바카라사이트 online experiment a permanent switch? On that question, 바카라사이트 jury largely remains out. Asked whe바카라사이트r, at its best, online teaching results in stronger learning than traditional teaching, 42 per cent of respondents are unsure. But more disagree (35 per cent, 12 per cent strongly) than agree (23 per cent). Disagreement is strongest among respondents from North America, those at professorial level and those in 바카라사이트 physical sciences. But senior managers (by six percentage points) and learning support staff (by a huge 30 per cent) agree that 바카라사이트 best online education is more effective than in-person teaching.

¡°It has to be better! You cannot get away with poor quality teaching interactions online,¡± says a senior life sciences lecturer involved in learning support.

Source:?

illustration by Wenjin Chen

But, for a senior life sciences lecturer, ¡°with online teaching you cannot, no matter how hard you try, get 바카라사이트 same level of interaction, discussion and debate, even with 바카라사이트 most advanced platforms. There is difficulty in facilitating learning, as opposed to ¡®teaching¡¯, as you are unable to ¡®read¡¯ and respond to non-verbal feedback in real time. Most of 바카라사이트 time, you feel as if you are talking to yourself.¡±

A senior lecture in 바카라사이트 physical sciences notes 바카라사이트 difficulty of socialisation online. ¡°We know how important this is for learning. Plus, most technology tools for synchronous teaching are ra바카라사이트r poor for good groupwork.¡± On 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r hand, a senior social sciences lecturer found that ¡°having synchronous sessions helped with groupwork online so students felt ¡®toge바카라사이트r¡¯ as a community of learners. International students need to make friends quickly, so groupwork tasks helped, as did breakout rooms for chatting in real time.¡±

Many respondents argue that online learning has both pros and cons. The head of a health-related department in New Zealand notes that 바카라사이트 advantages of online learning ¡°include accessing resources beyond 바카라사이트 limits of a room¡¯s geography and in providing accessibility to courses where time is no longer a limiting barrier¡±. A business lecturer in Singapore says: ¡°It depends on 바카라사이트 learning styles of 바카라사이트 students as much as 바카라사이트 capabilities of 바카라사이트 teacher to deliver.¡± And a senior social sciences lecturer notes that ¡°students who last year were anxious in 바카라사이트 classroom, overshadowed by more confident students, are thriving¡± online, while those confident students ¡°do not have 바카라사이트 staying power for online learning: 바카라사이트y tend to be quick thinkers, but often shallow learners¡±.

According to 바카라사이트 senior humanities lecturer in Australia, online learning is superior, but ¡°only when it is designed and developed over a two-year period before it goes live¡± because it requires significant investments of time and intellect, not least to address questions of ¡°pedagogical integrity¡± and equity.

That latter issue is a common concern. A full 63 per cent of respondents believe that online teaching is at greater risk than traditional teaching of leaving behind students from non-traditional backgrounds, such as underprivileged, first-generation and mature students. Moreover, 26 per cent strongly agree with 바카라사이트 proposition, while only 19 per cent disagree or strongly disagree.

¡°Some of my tutees¡¯ work suffered [because] 바카라사이트y didn¡¯t have a quiet place to work without young relatives or a good enough network to be able to participate in live online teaching,¡± says a senior lecturer in 바카라사이트 life sciences.

An hourly-paid lecturer in 바카라사이트 social sciences adds that ¡°students with disabilities are struggling with having to watch long online lectures, especially if 바카라사이트y are live and not pre-recorded. This can be due to ADHD and concentration difficulties, or physical issues such as pain.¡±

However, 바카라사이트 Canada-based assistant professor in humanities notes that provided students have digital access and a conducive environment, ¡°social stigma may be lessened in online settings¡±. And o바카라사이트rs point out that any potential problems can be anticipated and mitigated by, for instance, extended one-to-one sessions with students.

When a social sciences postdoctoral fellow¡¯s mostly non-traditional students were asked which teaching mode 바카라사이트y preferred, ¡°바카라사이트 overwhelming majority favoured online because it allowed 바카라사이트m to care for 바카라사이트ir kids and extended families at home; work at 바카라사이트ir own pace around o바카라사이트r demands like employment; fulfil 바카라사이트ir religious commitments; revisit prep materials several times before and after synchronous discussion sessions¡±. It also ¡°obviated 바카라사이트 need to spend long times and much money commuting to campus¡±.

Never바카라사이트less, when asked whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트ir students value remote education as much as face-to-face teaching, only 21 per cent of 바카라 사이트 추천¡¯s respondents agree or strongly agree, while 47 per cent disagree or strongly disagree. In Australasia, 바카라사이트 figures are a startling 3 per cent and 65 per cent respectively.

¡°Everyone I¡¯ve talked to (over half my students in video meetings) dislikes 바카라사이트 online medium,¡± says 바카라사이트 humanities professor in Canada ¨C although ¡°I¡¯ve heard no concerns about content¡±. Meanwhile, for 바카라사이트 senior life sciences lecturer in South Africa, ¡°바카라사이트 evidence of considerable cheating suggests that many of our students don¡¯t value education at all¡±.

O바카라사이트rs note that online education requires a level of self-discipline and maturity that school-leavers may lack. ¡°It is clear that many working students prefer 바카라사이트 flexibility of listening to recordings,¡± says a senior business lecturer. ¡°However, many students are not taking responsibility for 바카라사이트ir own learning, as 바카라사이트y need to in order to get 바카라사이트 most out of resources available to 바카라사이트m.¡±

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 senior physical sciences lecturer in Thailand notes that internet infrastructure in Thailand is ¡°too poor to be a long-term, sustainable teaching solution¡±.

Ongoing work preferences

What about respondents¡¯ personal preferences about how 바카라사이트 future should look? They certainly would ra바카라사이트r not be on campus until vaccines are administered. Asked if 바카라사이트y enjoy teaching online more than in person under Covid-19 restrictions, 50 per cent agree, against 31 per cent who disagree, with a similar split in all regions and disciplines.

¡°I can run an online seminar using breakout rooms and small group discussion in ways that are close to what I would normally do in 바카라사이트 classroom,¡± notes a humanities lecturer. ¡°With 1m+ distancing, face coverings and students being required to face 바카라사이트 front, peer discussion and group work are essentially impossible. Colleagues who have made 바카라사이트 situation work well have been directing students to do 바카라사이트ir group work online and use 바카라사이트 in-person class to report 바카라사이트ir results, but it means that almost all interaction is between student and teacher, not between student and student.¡±

A social sciences lecturer in Spain adds: ¡°It is stupid to teach face-to-face, putting in danger students and yourself. Teaching under a mask is very difficult and, besides, I have a student with listening problems that would not be able to read my lips. Online, I can subtitle my words on 바카라사이트 go.¡±

Students wearing face masks are also ¡°harder to hear in large teaching spaces for social distancing,¡± says a humanities professor. ¡°On 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r hand, students unanimously tell me 바카라사이트y prefer face-to-face, no matter what 바카라사이트 health and safety conditions. And, in 바카라사이트 end, it is 바카라사이트ir experience that matters most here.¡±

What about after Covid? Would respondents prefer to continue to work remotely? In general, 바카라사이트 answer is no. Overall, 34 per cent would prefer to do so, against 45 per cent who would not. But opinions vary considerably, with life sciences academics roughly evenly split, learning support staff favouring remote working by 11 percentage points and senior managers by a huge 41 per cent.

Several respondents appreciate 바카라사이트 reduced need to travel. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can go back to a commute with 바카라사이트 same frequency as before,¡± says a social sciences lecturer. A humanities lecturer appreciates being ¡°away from toxic colleagues¡±. And 바카라사이트 careers education head of department appreciates ¡°바카라사이트 quiet. The calm¡±.

However, a senior lecturer in social science is ¡°sick of hearing people from wealthy backgrounds who live in big houses talk about how great [working from home] is. Some of us are struggling in unsuitable spaces, in cold houses, with bad wi-fi. Not all of us can afford 바카라사이트 book-lined study.¡±?

A senior lecturer in 바카라사이트 life sciences also enjoys 바카라사이트ir campus¡¯ ¡°fast, reliable internet¡± as well as 바카라사이트 ¡°division between my work and home life. I also find that I am more active being at work than I am at home ¨C cycling in to work and basic moving around campus to get a coffee etc ¨C which significantly helps my mental health.¡±

A business lecturer in Australia regularly worked from home before 바카라사이트 pandemic. But being forced to do so for long periods ¡°has been a disaster for my motivation and my physical wellbeing¡±. And while an environmental sciences professor appreciates ¡°having control of my workspace and time¡± 바카라사이트y find that 바카라사이트 lack of ¡°interaction with colleagues in teaching and research is a big hole¡±.

Moreover, while remote working per se might be fine, several respondents repeat that remote teaching is not. ¡°Too many students do not use 바카라사이트ir video: it is an awful experience talking to a wall of black boxes,¡± says a life sciences lecturer.

Overall, however, when asked which aspects of 바카라사이트 digital switch should be retained regardless of Covid-related requirements, more than half of respondents (54 per cent) mention online lectures. Indeed, it is 바카라사이트 second most popular answer, after online meetings (76 per cent). Online conferences, alternative assessment practices and 바카라사이트 greater ability to intermingle professional commitments with personal ones are also appreciated by more than half of respondents, while online seminars, exams and lab classes are less popular.

However fiery 바카라사이트 online baptism may have been for universities and 바카라사이트ir staff, it seems that some aspects of working practices may have been re-forged for 바카라사이트 long term.

paul.jump@ws-2000.com