by Tim Chartier @timchartier

I look forward to the energy of the first day of class. There is hope in students' eyes as to what the term will offer.  But, this term is different. For the first time as I walk into the fall, I am bracing myself for a skeptical or even pessimistic classroom. Why? I'm teaching online.  

But that does not mean my students and I are in for a slog of a semester. We can still engage and learn in exciting ways. But it will be tough to convince them of that. There has simply been so much coverage describing the difficulties and failings of online learning.  

Remote learning can be difficult - and indeed, it was difficult this past spring. But, this fall will be different. Comparing this fall’s online learning to the spring is like someone comparing television reception from an antenna to a modern HD connection.  

The spring and this fall are very different. In the spring, our classes went remote very quickly. Within days or weeks, we learned to raise hands, chat, turn off video to reduce bandwidth, or share screens within Zoom and other programs. At the same time, we adapted to dropped connections, unstable WiFi, and the need for passwords in our Zoom links.   

This fall won’t be like that. Many teachers spent big parts of the summer sharing with each other, listening to students, and preparing for the year. Our approaches differ due to teaching styles, content differences, and variations in the effects of the pandemic geographically. Yet, still, there can be hope for the coming year.  

At Davidson College, where I teach, the university offered summer training in online learning. For two weeks, I spent hours each day working on my classes. It's important to note that my student evaluations from the spring were positive. Still, I can do better. I can find new ways to teach given I had a summer to prepare rather than only days.  

Online classes can teach us to learn in important ways. In fact, online learning plays a role in life after college. We learn new skills in jobs online. Many people study for advanced degrees and certification online.  We stay in touch with friends online. We can benefit from this time that has, admittedly, been forced upon us. But, we have to be open to the change. If, and for some when, we teach remotely, then that is what the world offers us in this time. In that moment, we can either look for how we can grow or we can wish for what was. Part of learning is adapting. Part of learning is to still one's mind from disappointment and see beyond the moment to the hope of the future.

The benefits of this time extend beyond the pandemic. I look forward to the day I will again teach face-to-face. I will be a better teacher from teaching remotely. Davidson’s College’s training has given me even more insight on my teaching. In class, we might daydream by looking out the window. Online, daydreaming can lead to walking away from a video as it plays or looking at a phone. Why should someone pay attention to the content I’m teaching? Why is my material compelling? What do I want a student to remember years after the course? Over and over, I ask these questions as I’ve planned for the fall and iteratively, my teaching improves.  

So, I look forward to the energy of the first day of class and diving into this term with my students. This term is different. I will need to work harder to create a sense of hope and eager anticipation with my students.  We will need to hear and share important stories about our educational challenges in this time. Let's also share the successes. Let's be sure to cultivate a sense of hope for all that can be.