In view of the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the transition to an online mode of instruction has created several challenges for our students.
Most common student comments about online learning:
- Some professors do not record their courses. However, some students are currently in different time zones and therefore attend classes at inconvenient times.
- Several professors have replaced regular exams by readings, homework, assignments and multiple quizzes. The amount of work each course generates is excessive, as it demands far too much time from students who struggle to keep up with the demanding pace of work imposed on them. This tremendous stress is worsened by the fact that many students do not live in ideal conditions to do this work.
- Some professors exceed the normal time allocated for a course. There is sometimes an overlap (without a break) with other courses. This is stressful for the students.
- Sometimes the recorded courses are longer than would be the normal course schedule.
- Teachers use a multitude of platforms (Brightspace, Teams, Zoom, Adobe Connect, etc.). Platform transitions between classes and sometimes during the same class are frequent. This causes unnecessary confusion and increases stress for students.
- Some teachers are unfamiliar with online tools, which hinders learning and makes exams even more stressful for students.
- For example, in some types of exams on Brightspace, students cannot go back and review their answers. However, these settings can be changed by professors when they prepare their exams.
- Since exams are often online and open book, they are more difficult and the time allocated to answer questions is limited and, more importantly, insufficient.
- The use of Respondus is perceived as an intrusion into students' privacy.
- Many professors ask students to pay for online teaching content. The Top Hat platform is often mentioned in comments.