By Omari Wyands
The coronavirus forced most schools to be online for most of the year.
Faculty at Clark Atlanta University enrolled in workshops during the summer to ensure that they were adequately trained to teach online classes. These classes included a Canvas course and an iTECH.
“I am anxious for whatever the spring brings,” Clark Atlanta University English Professor Augustus Jordan said.
“I felt a little alarmed about going online at first, but now that we are in the midst of it, I am very proud of how the administration has handled this ‘New Normal’ with the exception of a few minor setbacks. For example, Drop and Add is a lot more complex,” Professor Jordan stated.
This change has become the new normal. Everyone is trying to get used to it and do their best in this exhausting and trying time.
Professor Jordan said that he is now comfortable with online teaching and that it is “second nature.”
As the weeks go by people long for the moment the school announces if students are back on campus or not. The fried chicken Wednesdays, the market Fridays and the most adored promenade will be missed. The students of Clark Atlanta University cannot wait to be on campus, but students understand the importance of social distancing and staying safe.
“My life and the lives of my Campus community are more important than a mild case of discomfort,” he said.
Political Science professor Alexis Harris said, “Given the current times of unprecedented uncertainty in which we all find ourselves, I am comfortable with the decision for students to pursue learning in a virtual environment. Still, nothing beats face-to-face interactions with my students. I miss being on campus very much, but the safety of myself and others is my top priority as a TA,” she said.
For professors, the adjustment to remote learning could be viewed as something to get acquainted with.
“I feel quite comfortable teaching in an online environment. Transitioning to online learning last semester came abruptly, but it has proven useful given this semester is fully online,” she said.
Most teachers prepared and studied how to work the technology for remote learning over the summer.
“My colleagues were instrumental in my ability to prepare for remote teaching. It was very much a collaborative effort in which ideas were discussed openly. Many of us chose to utilize a modular structure within Canvas as well as live Zoom lectures to maximize our abilities to reach students in diverse ways,” she said.
Professor Harris expressed how intense the process has become to make sure her students were able to transition through online classes.
“To ensure my students have a smooth transition to online learning, I am keeping lines of communication open and encouraging students to speak with me as often as needed. To ease some of the stresses associated with digital communications, I respond to students as quickly as possible,” she said.
Though chances of students returning back to campus in the spring is unsure at the moment, students and faculty have done their best to remain positive.
“I am optimistic that our university will make the best decision for everyone involved based on the guidance of science and health experts. I am unsure what the spring has in store, but I am praying for everyone’s safety and wellbeing,” she said.
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