Summary: In this episode, we continue our coverage of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the influence the virus will have on higher education. In this episode, we discuss one of the controversial topics pertinent to all in higher education, which is the shift from on-premise to online education. Faculty, both young and old, have preconceptions of the structure, course format, and base learning as examples. For some, proper learning occurs in a lecture-based face to face format in a classroom, on-site at a university. While other faculty prefer various formats of instruction, including field experience, YouTube videos, podcasts (hint hint), Zoom meetings, and online exercises and assignments, for those who prefer more traditional approaches to education and pedagogy, the COVID-19 crisis has forced them into a paradigm they have little to no experience. Moreover, if the faculty member held strong attitudes against online learning or instruction, they are now required to adopt the very thing they see as detrimental in learning. While online learning has long been accepted as a medium for teaching, some faculty see this shift away from the traditional values of learning. Some faculty see online learning as the end of tenure, larger departments, research and experiential learning, and ultimately the revered position of being a professor. They fear courses will become curricular course mills. For some, they may respond with a higher structure or rigid assignments and assessments, while others may disconnect entirely or lightly engaging the class for the remainder of this semester. For the future, however, COVID is not likely to go away for the foreseeable future, and therefore, these faculty will have to adapt and adopt an approach they disagree with or fear. We discuss how these rapid adoptions by higher education could influence the future. We also discuss how COVID may cost some faculty their salaries due to drops in enrollment and revenue, as well as some schools even closing entirely due to financial hit caused by the virus. Maybe have a couple of beers before listening to this episode. It is about to get deep, REAL Deep.
