Clark Atlanta professor describes how social distancing is affecting students

By Dr. Christal Jordan-Jennings
Mar 31, 2020
1:15 pm

What feedback are you hearing from the students regarding tasks, grades, etc.?

Since we mostly did everything in groups and in person as far as grades, the students kind of went in a slight panic mode, asking a lot of questions in regard to how are we going to move forward with class, etc., so I did something that I really never do, and I made myself available to them 24-7 via group chat and email. I feel like this way we can still stay connected if they have any questions. But with me being available to them 24-7, I made it clear that they only contact me if it’s something really important. Is this an email question or a phone call question?

Many are saying this pandemic will force colleges and universities to embrace online learning more in the future. Do you agree?

I feel universities will definitely have more online classes because we really don’t have a choice now unless we don’t want to work. There are platforms that help provide the students with what they need as if we’re in a classroom setting. So yes, I think during this pandemic it has really been a wake-up call for a lot of universities; and this may even restructure the way we professors interact moving forward in the coming years with students.