Another year online?

[Ellewoods20]

Despite the easing of restrictions in June, some universities have informed students that lectures will remain online in the next academic year. What’s the point? :(

@IrmaFayLear

I see that the Telegraph today has an article on how students have been shafted. It mentions the online business and how provision varies considerably.

It also talks about the "soft losses" of students: the friends they never get to make, or the partner, or the interests etc.

I think it's particularly hard for geeky or shyer students. The outgoing will always find friends and social opportunities, but the awkward ones, not so much, and university is a chance for them to find likeminded compatriots.

I agree. My son would be classed as a "geeky" or "shy" student and he's really struggled. No clubs/societies, gym closed for months, his college common room closed, none of his lecturers on campus so no face to face. He's had no chance at all for meeting anyone other than his flatmates as he's not a bar/party goer. The "party animals" have continue to party throughout, whether legally or illegally, so they've been able to socialise to some extent and meet people, but the non drinking/non partying students have been left high and dry, stuck in their tiny bedrooms.

Whether they are stuck in their tiny bedrooms or not, depends largely on the course and the university. I'm teaching a lab session now and the geeks were all here at 9. The cool kids about 30 minutes later.

They are all working happily together now.

@Etulosba

Whether they are stuck in their tiny bedrooms or not, depends largely on the course and the university. I'm teaching a lab session now and the geeks were all here at 9. The cool kids about 30 minutes later.

They are all working happily together now.

Well, yes, of course it depends on the course/Uni, but some people having a half decent experience is of no comfort for those who aren't, through no fault of their own.

@mumsneedwine

Ah so it's for their own good now. Well that's a new one. Am v sure some Unis will be rethinking on line after the fiasco of exams. And one Uni has now acknowledged that some of their on line delivery was so rubbish they have re-recorded one section. Nothing to worry about - it's only for the next generation of doctors.

Can't believe Unis are trying to spin it that the students benefit from a crap year!

Some Unis are really going to suffer. They rely on students being on site, but the more done "online", the less need there is to be on site. That's going to blow a massive hole in accommodation revenue if they're not careful. Not to mention the other real estate, such as large lecture theatres that need to be used to earn their keep - or will Uni's demolish them? What about those who have revenue streams from shops, bars, restaurants, dentists, doctors, and hair salons - those businesses won't pay the current level of rents if they have fewer customers if more students stay at home.

They need to be careful with their mixed messages. On the one hand, they need students on campus, but on the other hand, the more they do online, the less need for students to be on campus.

Whilst a lot of students will still want to "go" to Uni for the socialising, partying, etc., a lot aren't interested in that and just want to go for the educational experience, which if they don't need to be there, they may just stay at home!

but on the other hand, the more they do online, the less need for students to be on campus.

Not necessarily. They may be planning to use the time and space freed up by moving content online, such as lectures, to provide more seminars, labs and tutorials etc. That is what we are planning. I doubt that we are unique.

I expect it varies widely. There will I am sure be those short-sighted institutions who think, “Bingo! Cheap repeat lectures online, fewer staff needed, more students can cough up for all the accommodation blocks being built...”. Once potential students get a sniff of this business plan it won’t look such a no-brainer money-spinner.

If they're not careful, they'll end up with the shy/introverted types staying at home and mostly the partying crowd going to the Uni, not for the education, but for the social life. That will mess up the balance and could well cause conflict locally, i.e. a higher proportion of partying students may start to affect a Uni's reputation etc., i.e. drunkenness, drugs, noise, etc. Some uni's already have that bad reputation, and I'm sure others without it won't want to suffer the same fate.

They may be planning to use the time and space freed up by moving content online, such as lectures, to provide more seminars, labs and tutorials etc. That is what we are planning. I doubt that we are unique.

Yes @Etulosba, that's what we did September to December, 2020. And did again as soon as we were legally permitted to do so in 2021. And what we're planning for the 2021-22 academic year.

Most Unis are not planning f2f lectures next year. The academics on here seem to be the exceptions (wish they'd name their Unis as they'd be v popular). Just watched Bristol offer holder stuff for next year. Be prepared to never see a lecture theatre.
And a student has committed suicide at NTU as was struggling to cope on line & found out failed 2nd year - via email. Students are being expected to get the same scores this year when teaching has been v limited with limited person support (obviously not at the Unis with staff on here). It's so v v sad. With no consistency. My DD has 6 proctored exams over 3 weeks while her contemporary in Notts has 2 open book ones. For the same degree. Almost like they want some of them to fail.