A common trend I have observed over these first few weeks of online classes is the increase in the amount of assignments students receive.

Obviously, not all courses can be taught the same way online as in person, but is it fair to give students multiple assignments for one chapter they told to read and review on their own? In some classes, many assignments are being given, with little to no instruction. That leaves students more in the dark than ever. We may all be stuck in quarantine, but schoolwork should not be the only thing consuming our days.

Plenty of students think the transition to online learning went well, while others disagree. They worry that information is not being retained through online teaching. With face-to-face learning, you can come early or stay after to ask questions. You are able to take notes during a PowerPoint presentation or take pictures of the slides. Not all professors understand and utilize Blackboard or Zoom to give assignments or meet as a class.

When transitioning to online courses, some students received updated syllabi, new folders on Blackboard filled with the content for the rest of the semester, and a set schedule of due dates and assignments for the remainder of the semester.

For other courses, if you didn’t think you needed your textbook before, you may need it now. This can be frustrating for students who rely on visuals, like PowerPoints, and in-depth explanations.

While the teaching styles vary during this transition, one thing we can agree on is this is not an ideal situation for anyone. Teaching a course online that is meant to be held in person is difficult, especially for the labs and courses that require materials students do not have access to at home. Many are still adjusting and trying to find what works best for themselves and their new schedule. If students don’t feel they are getting what they should be out of a course, it’s important to let instructors know, because unless you do, nothing will change.