It’s easy to forget that when the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, classes were initially moved online for only two weeks. After over two years, it is safe to say that the day-to-day ramifications of the pandemic are largely resolved as Monmouth University’s classes, clubs, and student activities are back in full swing, maskless, and without any online first weeks like in previous semesters.
While most people are glad to put pandemic restrictions behind them, there has been one noticeable change to education since that fateful two-week break: the prevalence of Zoom.
During the first few weeks of lockdown, schools and businesses all over the world frantically transitioned all classes and meetings to Zoom, a program that would unknowingly become a staple in our global educational ecosystem. It was the perfect way for schools to quickly switch to online classes— unlike the bloated, complicated Skype or Teams (both owned by Microsoft). In just two years, Zoom’s name is now synonymous with video conferencing.
While involuntary online classes were not ideal, the advent of Zoom has had its upsides. It’s easier than ever to meet from any place at any time. Nearly all my classes’ syllabi this year mention that along with regularly scheduled office hours, additional meetings are available by appointment via Zoom. Some clubs have also opted to have Zoom meetings for smaller routine meetings that are not worth organizing a physical gathering.
Moreover, some hybrid classes have made additional creative and practical use of Zoom. For example, I am currently writing my Honors Thesis, a process that requires registering for the class “HO496.” In reality, this is a class in name only as it does not have a scheduled time; rather, it involves independently meeting with a professor and writing my thesis. However, there have been a few class-wide Zoom meetings to keep us all up-to-date on our thesis requirements.
As a commuter student, Zoom allows me the ability to attend these nighttime, irregularly scheduled meetings without traveling back to campus for just a half hour.
Nonetheless, Zoom has some less redeemable qualities. Students and professors don’t need reminding of the downsides to remote learning, such as convenient distractions, little-to-no interaction with classmates, and professors who are unfamiliar with teaching in front of a computer screen.
Unfortunately, the fact that almost every student has now taken several online classes has normalized remote learning and these deficiencies. After being forced to take online classes, many students are beginning to question whether remote learning is as valuable and effective as in-person learning.
Recently, two of Monmouth students sued the school for not offering a tuition reimbursement after switching to online learning. Monmouth is not alone— according to the Associated Press, over 200 schools have lawsuits against them over this same issue.
Although most would agree that online classes are an inferior learning environment, now that most of the world has experience with online learning, perhaps it is possible to take the best aspects of Zoom classes and use them to enhance in-person learning.
Additionally, the flexibility of Zoom can greatly benefit students, especially graduate students who often have busier schedules. According to Monmouth’s website, there are four graduate programs primarily hosted online, including Autism/Applied Behavior Analysis (Master’s) and Nursing (Doctorate).
With student loan debt in the public eye after President Biden’s student loan relief, as well as the question of the value of online learning being brought to the forefront by lawsuits, perhaps the failings of online classes can turn into opportunities.
Now that almost everyone has experience with online learning, universities could begin offering an accelerated, inexpensive online curriculum option that allows students to learn without the same degree of financial burden.
Ultimately, as we become further removed from the days of Zoom classes, it remains to be seen what aspects of online learning will remain and flourish within our education system.
