Pandemic learning presents benefits and challenges, says Alize Tyler
Marketing major Alize Tyler looks back on the unprecedented shift to online and hybrid classes.
Multicultural Business Scholars had to make significant adjustments in their academic experience during the pandemic. Many classes were moved completely online, some were taught in a hybrid online and in-person format, and those that remained in person required many necessary health protocols.
Alize Tyler is a Multicultural Business Scholar majoring in marketing with a minor in supply chain management and Spanish. Tyler shared her insights into her academic experience during this pandemic, including benefits and drawbacks.
One of the benefits she has experienced in the virtual learning environment is the access to lecture materials. Previously, if she missed an in-person class, she could not access a recording. Now, if she misses class or simply does not clearly understand a portion of the lecture, she can refer to the recording and access the specific part of the lecture. She also explains that the virtual environment has given her a sense of comfort in some respects.
“There is comfort in being in my own space while times have been difficult and life has been constantly changing,” Tyler explained.
She also highlights group work as an area that has become easier. Now that group meetings are online, she spends less time traveling to and from meetings, making it easier to commit to short Zoom or Microsoft Teams calls.
“While I do enjoy the virtual environment, I have experienced some difficulties with actively participating in class discussions and focusing during traditional Zoom lectures,” Tyler said.
Like many other students, she is feeling burnt out and is missing the opportunity to meet new people in the in-person environment.
Moving forward, she prefers the hybrid class format, a format where each class includes a mix of in-person and online components. Reflecting on her experience, she said, “I have become more dependent on myself. In the end, I have become more adaptive in my learning.”
