ETSU is one of several universities throughout the country that has struggled with decisions on how to proceed with campus life after COVID-19 made its way into the United States.
The decision to reopen the campus for classes came after many months of hard work and planning thanks to the administrators of the campus. With that in mind, classes this year will be different for us students than what we may have originally expected. The school recently announced that nearly 80% of classes will be held online for this semester in order to better adhere to the guidelines mandated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With that in mind, here is a look at the types of classes offered at ETSU this fall.
Prior to the global pandemic, in-person classes were the most popular choice among students. This is my personal favorite for a multitude of reasons. For one thing, they are easier to manage because they have a set time when students are expected to be in class, and instructors and students are required to be face-to-face on a frequent basis. This way, they can easily develop a relationship, and the professor can gauge the students level of interest in the course. It is also easier to ask questions during and after class and allows you to get your feedback in a timely manner.
Online classes are not new to the scene since many students have had the opportunity to take an online class in their collegiate career. These are becoming increasingly popular among students throughout the world, and are now the majority of classes offered this semester at ETSU. With online classes, students are expected to keep up with their work, often more than is required than an in-person class, as well as attend “class times” via Zoom or another platform.
Hybrid classes are held partially in-person, with a portion held online. For example, in classes held twice a week, half of the students would meet on one of the days with the other half attending virtually, and vice versa.
This semester is not going to be easy for instructors or for students. We are simply going to have to do the best that we can with the hand we are dealt. Many professors have had to change the format of their classes at the last minute, and students have to come to terms with not being able to see their friends or attend any campus events.
Regardless of the style of course, we get out of our classes what we put into them. As long as we keep a growth mindset, we can do this. Stay safe, and go Bucs!
