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By Natalie O’Neil
Since early Spring 2020, colleges and universities throughout North America have been tasked with a “trial by fire” method of teaching. While the pandemic unexpectedly thrust the world into quarantine, educators and students endured a massive transformation in learning with little to no preemptive planning. As the days of the spring term waned, educators and students trudged on, optimistic about the summer, the first real break, not only from stay at home orders, but also from their devices and virtual meetings. Months later, the verdict is still out on the overall affects the pandemic has had on higher education.
With the lazy days of summer behind us, NKBA Affiliated Educators and Students lept head first into the Fall term. Sally Ann Swearingen, Associate Professor of Interior Design and Construction Management at Stephen F. Austin State University shares how her students are coping with the schools’ flexible learning options: “Most of our students were apprehensive at first, but they have gotten so used to it, most of them prefer it when they have the option of coming face to face. They [are] utilizing the chats, interacting with each other and the class as a whole. The best part from their perspective: No travel to school, finding a parking spot, [sleeping] in longer, and just [jumping up to] comb hair and get dressed from the waist up.”
NKBA Affiliated Students and Educators are sure to demonstrate their resiliency as they meet this semester’s learning head on, be it in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format, with continued support from the NKBA Affiliated Schools Program.
