Are Zoom Classes the Future of Learning?

By: Adham Ouda

@Adham11o

AUC is about to complete its first semester teaching online classes largely through the application Zoom, as well as other apps.

This has been an unprecedented experiment for both students and faculty who have mixed feelings on the current academic reality.

There is a huge difference between online and in person instruction, students and professors have said, and pointed to the difference between psychological, emotional and mental effects of online and in-person teaching.

Development of students is highly important and the benefits of online learning are plentiful, however, the benefits of in person teaching are also massive. In person classes are very important as you get crucial 1 to 1 time, crucial communication with peers and professors as well as crucial time to socialize between classes. Furthermore, being in person around others allows for better communication and better understanding of one another.

Petroleum Engineering graduating senior Youssef Helmy says online classes have their pros and cons but affect different students differently because each student has a different study load.

“In my case, I think I prefer going to class, as it’s simply more efficient to interact with the instructor, ask questions, and the instructor can keep your attention during the lecture. However, I understand the circumstances we are in, and this is a good way to keep things rolling.”

Finance senior Youssef Ali says he was disappointed that the university “shut down” in mid-March but is “happy with the decisions the administration took to complete the semester.” He does struggle, however, to focus in class while classes are online and that he used to “study in the library or cafes” making the closure of the university a problem for him.

Students and faculty alike have since mid-March told The Caravan that the most critical factor they miss from classroom teaching is the direct engagement and interaction. Classroom teaching means professors keep a close eye on students and see what they’re up to at all times – it is a much more personalized experience. 

Remote learning, however, does away with extensive commute times, allows students to be in their natural surroundings and gives them the freedom of doing things between classes without being restricted to the borders of the University. The advantage of being on campus is that you get to socialize with whoever, whenever and have all university facilities at your disposal.

I prefer in class as we could interfere more with the professor and the other students and I think it’s much more effective than online classes,” Integrated Marketing Communications junior Amina Waly told The Caravan.

She said that being able to ask as many questions as possible is very important; being able to talk after class is very important and being able to discuss with peers in class without distracting the class is very important.

While Zoom’s stock price has skyrocketed in the last few months, showing that plenty of organizations have shifted to online instruction, the new scholastic reality has had academics begin to question what teaching will look like in the future.

Adjunct Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication Effat Kamel thinks a “mix of both online and in person classes” would be most beneficial for the future. Furthermore, as a teacher of TV journalism, she strongly believes a key component missing for students – the hands-on, practical training they would get in the studio. 

Helmy thinks the burden of online learning can be alleviated if each department would acknowledge and coordinate deadlines.

“If anything, the one thing I hope would change is clashing deadlines. If our department can … take into consideration that there are heavy dates (like thesis submissions/presentations) that are too close to or on the same day of other project submissions, and potentially even them out.”