Doing College in the Age of COVID-19—The Virtuals

As I write this, I just finished my first week of hybrid, online, in-class, virtual teaching at my small college in upstate NY. I am laughing (painfully), but like many schools our size, my college is attempting to be all things to all people, allowing students to choose if they are in-class or part of what I'm now calling (with affection) 'The Virtuals.'

And not just students, for many of the same reasons, faculty are given the option to join the ranks of the 'Virtuals,' delivering their courses via Zoom or Skype to students who may be on campus or at home. It's going to be a crazy semester.

The challenges that range from traditional lecture/discussion-based courses to hands-on labs and physical education to off-site practicums and the like are forcing faculty, administrations and students to address a plethora of issues as they try to follow the latest guidelines from local governments. Add to that the reality that each day could bring changes as students or faculty moving from in-class to virtual because of quarantine or illness. The entire situation is one of fluidity, and it's testing the ability of faculty to deliver higher education in a variety of meaningful ways.

This semester, indeed this year will be the beginning of a significant paradigm shift in higher education, government, and business as people continue to learn and adapt to the changing ways we do things in a world gripped by fear and the unknown. Even after the pandemic has run its course (which it will), the world of Zoom, Skype, Google Meet will be with us for years to come.

Is there a bright side? Maybe. The ability to meet virtually carries with it some of the same benefits we've seen over the past decade doing business online—from Amazon, and video/music streaming, to grocery shopping and filing our taxes, the warehouse is gradually replacing the storefront. But wait a minute, maybe that's not such a bright side.

In the end, the realities of this brave new world inhabited by the Virtuals will require change that will be uncomfortable for many of us. After all, what drives most businesses these days, including education, is the profit margin, the numbers, the bottom line, not protecting people or communities or ideals. And therein is what’s most concerning about this pandemic. Will it continue to become an excuse for inflicting more pain on others?

I don't know for sure. But for the virtuals, maybe it’s time to unite!