2021 Education magazine

2021 Education Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS February 18, 2021 Page 17 shares five positive changes he feels should continue after the pandemic. For instance, Cowell said “The online space can be engaging, enriching, and accessible” can “deepen and support learning outside the classroom.” In the online learning environment, “video and interactive media are now part of how students learn, and discussion boards allow for conversations to continue and ideas to be recorded outside of classes.” Some students may feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts online. As Cowell said, “Interactions and discussion that students take part in online can say much more about engagement than simply showing up at a lecture.” Traditional assessment often requires students to recall information and does not often allow students to show creativity. However, Cowell said “assessments that are open-book -- such as producing case studies, putting together a brief policy paper, and recording podcasts— reward curiosity and academic inquiry.” As for how assessment at Lincoln College changed, Wright said, “More professors are using project-based learning to assess students. Some encourage more creativity with technology using video.” In one class Pendergrass worked with, the assessment was somewhat non-traditional with the professor allowing students to do a five-minute video or song for their final project. In classes with a traditional final, she said professors letting students use notes on assessments was helpful. When teachers have time to plan, Cowell said, “Incorporating online teaching will allow lecturers to focus on what activities best suit the subject they are covering and design them to fit.” These changes may improve teaching in the future. Local colleges are also seeing the benefits of online incorporation. Wright said in the long term “both students and faculty will be more creative and flexible in their approach to course design. Students have been exposed to a wider variety of virtual sources that will help them in the future.” Wright believes online learning will continue to grow, giving students more learning choices. Entire programs may be offered online. Baldwin has also seen some positives from the increased use of technology: “Due to some grants and reallocation of funds, we have been able to improve our technology resources and have been able to provide students with laptops to assist them as needed during this time. Consequently, our students and faculty are engaging with technology more than they ever have in the classroom, myself included.” Additionally, Baldwin said, “The college is now in a better position to begin launching some online programs in addition to our current instructional delivery modality. Our limited face to face interaction has also nudged us to find new ways to connect and build relationships.” With Lincoln College facing the same struggles as other institutions due to this pandemic, Baldwin said “Overall, I think we will come out of this situation stronger and wiser.” Continued p