VOX POP
Gone are the days when lecturers faced packed lecture halls – at least until after the Covid-19-pandemic.
With online teaching and learning as the “new normal” at the NWU, eish! asked a few lecturers how they are experiencing this and what feedback their students are giving.
Online learning curve has its ups and downs
Let’s find out what they have to say.
Dr Fortunate Mokoena
Lecturer, Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Mahikeng Campus
1. What is your biggest challenge with online teaching?
I have found online teaching incredibly exciting but there are a few minor glitches, such as having to re-record a video a few times, that one has to bear with. It can also be incredibly impersonal.
2. What is your most pleasant experience or surprise with regard to online learning?
The vast modalities and studios that one can use to deliver information and content. The chatroom interaction with students is also quite nice.
3. In general, how are your students reacting to this new way of teaching?
They have surprisingly been quite adaptable; they're engaged and much more responsive than expected. The online learning opportunity has given them so much more confidence to contact me much more easily.
Tshepang Molale
Lecturer, Communication Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Mahikeng Campus
1. What is your biggest challenge with online teaching?
My biggest challenge with online teaching is connectivity and the network. I have my classes on the Zoom platform, twice a week, and at times, due to network issues, my students and I end up having to re-enter the Zoom classroom repeatedly due to connectivity challenges. I have also realised that most students stop reconnecting over time and I end up with a few remaining students to finish the class session.
2. What is your most pleasant experience or surprise with regard to online learning?
I have noticed that students, irrespective of the prevailing Covid-19 situation, make the effort to learn and share learning material with each other. I have seen that they are eager to apply self-directed learning and they even bring (into our class sessions) independently sourced material which is related to our subject matter.
3. In general, how are your students reacting to this new way of teaching?
This new model of teaching is challenging, especially since it does not reach 100% of our students (due to connectivity issues), but I have confidence in the alternative plans made for students who are without access (for example the paper-based material dispatching option).
Dr Roxanne Bailey
Senior lecturer, Computer Science Education, Faculty of Education, Potchefstroom Campus
1. What is your biggest challenge with online teaching?
Students have different levels of self-directed learning skills – some are able to take responsibility for their own learning, but others expect to be "spoon-fed" and have found the transition to online learning quite daunting. It is therefore rather challenging to assist these students. I am however proud of the leaps some students have taken to rise to the challenge.
2. What is your most pleasant experience or surprise with regard to online learning?
The most pleasant experience has been to see how some students have accepted the challenge of being self-directed. Although I am still there to guide and support them where needed, I can clearly see that some students have started realising how their learning and future is in their hands too.
3. In general, how are your students reacting to this new way of teaching?
Students are definitely anxious and I can see some feel really daunted by the whole experience. However, I do think most students are settling into the "new" way of doing things and with time the anxiety will subside.
Dr Re-An Müller
Programme leader and senior lecturer, Marketing Management, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Vanderbijlpark Campus
1. What is your biggest challenge with online teaching?
To find the time between the kids and house chores.
2. What is your most pleasant experience or surprise with regard to online learning?
Technology can bring us closer to one another. I feel more connected with my students now than ever through our WhatsApp communication.
3. In general, how are your students reacting to this new way of teaching?
Very positive – they enjoy the new-found freedom of "attending classes" in their own time and at their own pace.
David Chuku Taole
Junior lecturer, Computer Science and Information Systems, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Vanderbijlpark Campus
1. What is your biggest challenge with online teaching?
First of all, I miss my students a lot and I really value the time I have with them in class. In terms of online teaching my biggest challenge is that I am not sure whether the students fully understand the work that I am giving them. Under normal circumstances it is easy for a student to come to you when they have a problem; now students also face additional challenges such as connectivity, data and a lack of devices.
2. What is your most pleasant experience or surprise with regard to online learning?
I am not office bound and can sit outside while working! An added bonus is also that I do not have to get up early for a 07:30 class. I must admit, communicating with students via voice notes on the eFundi chatroom, direct messages and WhatsApp really makes the experience better.
3. In general, how are your students reacting to this new way of teaching?
It is not always easy to gauge my students’ reactions since some of them are not focusing on communicating with me but rather on submitting assignments to pass their modules. Those who do communicate say it is a challenge to study from home – be it because they do not have the right equipment, struggle with connectivity or are confronted with other issues at home. As a lecturer, I am worried when my students don’t communicate frequently.
Karabo Mangwekea
Lecturer, Language Education (Setswana), Faculty of Education, Potchefstroom Campus
1. What is your biggest challenge with online teaching?
Some students often find it challenging to access a stable internet connection from their respective homes, which is beyond their control. Others take a very long time to respond to materials uploaded on eFundi sites; as a result, it delays the content/curriculum being delivered timeously and effectively.
2. What is your most pleasant experience or surprise with regard to online learning?
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3. In general, how are your students reacting to this new way of teaching?
Most of the students, particularly first years who enrolled in the contact mode of delivery, are uncomfortable with the newly introduced system of teaching and learning. However, so far their response is promising, as they are displaying interest and commitment through the transitional stages.
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