Despite remote learning continuing at BYU–Hawaii, students want teachers to know their efforts in restructuring their classes and keeping classes engaging do not go unnoticed.
Jordann-Summer Ah Nee, a junior from Oahu studying political science and social science education, expressed, “Online classes are hard for teachers too. Especially teachers who have gotten used to teaching face to face with more hands-on, discussion-based activities.
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“One professor, in particular, Dr. Michael Murdock, has been spending enormous amounts of time restructuring class activities to keep them as engaging as possible across international datelines, daylight savings and a computer screen.”
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Lacey Sue Sato, a junior from Ohio studying biology, shared her thoughts about a teacher who she thought had been doing a good job teaching under the circumstances. “My physics professor, Dr. [Michael] Weber, has done an excellent job of adjusting to remote education. He has taken the time to film dozens of helpful explanatory videos for us each week, and he makes a constant effort to reach out to his classes by holding Zoom meetings. It is evident that he really cares for our well-being, and he gives us the necessary tools to be successful.”
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Mariah Jackson teaches at both BYUH and Castle High School and explained the challenges of teaching strictly online.
“In a college class, I think discussion makes the lessons so much more engaging and challenging than just listening to a lecture. It’s really hard to figure out how to make engaging discussions with students online, especially when so many of them are in different time zones,” Jackson said. “That is a serious challenge.”
In-person discussions and studying are not only missed by teachers but students as well, according to Sato. “I miss being able to work with my peers in person and study together. It has been difficult trying to manage my time by myself, and I always feel like I’m falling behind.”
Ah Nee concurred, saying, “I miss interactions with my peers. I miss being in a class and seeing my classmate two rows ahead of me just as confused as I am. I miss the post-lecture rants, where we’d stumble out of the classroom and breathe a sigh of relief that what we studied was actually on the midterm.”
Jackson said she wants students to know even though this situation is difficult for both teachers and students, all should use the extra time for their benefit. “Use the extra time you don’t have to [spend to] travel to a different place, drive/walk to class, etc., to read more about what we’re learning. Try to get as much out of this semester as you can. Don’t do less, but do more while you don’t have to be here in person.”
Sato and Ah Nee both expressed their thanks for teachers trying their best. Sato said, “I hope all the professors at BYUH know how grateful I am for their efforts. Thank you to all the professors who have taught to empty classrooms, spent hours adjusting to online platforms and shown kindness and patience during these hard times.”
Ah Nee said, “Thank you for countless hours of preparation. Thank you for being patient with us. Thank you for being understanding of our time zones. Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for putting textbooks on vital sources or having us use free online versions. Thank you to the wonderful library staff who get our class movies and readings easily accessible. Thank you to the university for keeping the aloha spirit alive and online.”