Learning online during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown as a university student can be ‘challenging’ said law student Lily Rafter-Ambrosen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All schools, colleges and further education in Wales will begin online classes during lockdown, Wales’ Education Minister has announced. 

 

In a statement, Kirsty Williams said the decision to move to online learning had been taken in consultation with the Welsh Local Government Association and Colegau Cymru. 

 

“Universities in Wales should not return for face-to-face learning unless notified that they can do so,” she added. 

The Welsh Government will work with local authorities and education settings to “best plan for the rest of the term”. 

 

Remote learning during the pandemic has affected many students and changed education forever - with schools closed since 23 March, most university students have seen the way they learn change dramatically. 

 

Educational institutions were unprepared for the switch to online learning as well as undergraduates. Especially during the first weeks of lockdown, many struggled to provide the same quality of teaching and learning 

 

First time learning online 

Law student Lily Rafter-Ambrosen, from Cwmbran, is among many having to study from home using virtual learning tools and software. Her day-to-day routine continues as normal, however without that face-to-face interaction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 20-year-old student is currently in her third and final year of university and is struggling to get adapt to the new way of teaching. She said: ‘It is extremely frustrating for students like me in my third year because that face-to-face interaction is so crucial.” 

 

She prefers to work in person as she feels more comfortable and produces better work. She said: “In person, I am actually getting to ask the lecturer questions rather than waiting around for an email.”

 

 

“On the classes online, not many people participate or interact together”. she feels like she is working alone “A lot of people on these Zoom calls will not have their camera on, will be shy, or will mute themselves - when I am in the room I feel more included and able to talk and interact with the lecture”.

 

Apart from the learning side of things, Lily feels like she is missing out on other valuable experiences. Things like nights out and social events have had to be cancelled. “I wasn’t able to make any new memories - as it is my last year I really wanted to make more friends and memories to finish my university experience with a bang.” 

 

Advantages of learning online 

Online learning allows students to set their own learning pace, and more flexibility in setting a schedule that works for them. As a result, using an online educational platform allows for a better balance of work and studies, also teaches you vital time management skills. Lily is more flexible while working online, she said. “I am more of a night owl - I work so much

better at night so learning from home I have the flexibility of taking my time and leaving things till later on if I need to.” 

 

When e-learning you develop important skills which could help you in the future when looking for a job. Things such as communication skills, time management, and self-motivation. 

 

Challenges of learning online 

Many university students are not provided with the strong internet connection that online courses require, especially when sharing a house with other students. 

 

Living in a house with six other people all attending online classes can really affect the online connection Lily said. “The wifi isn’t the best and when we have all got our phones, IPads, and TV all connected to the internet it can be very slow.” This makes it a lot harder for not just her but also her roommates. 

 

Self-motivation is essential, some students fall behind and lose motivation. “When being alone for a long period of time I sometimes start to zone out and don’t get much work done.” 

 

What to expect in the future of learning 

The latest data by StatsWales show that the infection rate across Wales is averaging more than 270 cases for 100,00 people, with 17% of tests now coming back positive. 

 

It means the reproduction number in Wales has now reached 1,27, with infections doubling in 11.7 days. 

 

Online education will be the way of learning for a long time due to the COVID-19 disruption. Until numbers drop face-to-face learning will not be happening in the near future, according to StatsWales. 

 

For third-year students Lily, there are many things that disrupted her plans due to online learning but she continues to be optimistic about the future. 

 

“My last year of university has been taken away from me in a way, I won’t get that experience of being on campus properly with my friends. 

 

“I have also missed out on doing work experience which is very frustrating because it would have given me more confidence when looking for a job after finishing my degree. 

 

“There are many advantages and disadvantages of learning online but either way it is out of everyone's control - I feel like we will all slowly adapt to this new normal. 

 

“I am hopeful that cases will drop and I can return back to learning face-to-face learning in the future”