Following the COVID-19 outbreak in March, a majority of schools in the U.S. cancelled in-person classes and switched to different online platforms for the remainder of the academic year. However, now that all 50 states have begun reopening, there has been an ongoing debate regarding whether it will be safe for schools to resume in-person classes. Thus far, a number of educational facilities have announced plans to reopen in the fall, even NSU.
Despite plans set in place for reopenings, the New York Times reports that many students will probably feel uncomfortable returning to school full-time. Given this circumstance, schools and colleges are more likely to offer a hybrid of in-person and remote learning in order to assure small class sizes and adhere to CDC’s social-distancing recommendations at the same time.
Several studies have demonstrated that, in general, children and teenagers are one-third as likely to contract the virus and the potential risks associated with the transmission appears to be the lowest for the youngest age group. According to data from the CDC, less than 5% of all COVID-19 cases comprised children under the age of 18. Although the long-term effects of a mild case of COVID-19 are unknown, when children and teenagers do test positive, only 21% demonstrate symptoms in comparison with 69% of infected adults over the age of 70. Despite these recent findings, what still remains unclear is the extent to which infected children with the virus can pass it onto others.
Outbreaks in educational facilities are inevitable. However, with safe modifications to daily routines, hybrid classes can prove to be extremely beneficial for students in this unforeseen circumstance. It will provide some flexibility to students with multiple responsibilities to maximize their time. Instead of commuting to school various times per week, individuals will have the option to complete their coursework from a more convenient location.
Moreover, the hybrid course option will help reinforce life skills such as time management, critical thinking and problem-solving, which are crucial to academic and professional success. In order to ensure completion of assignments within the assigned time frame, students will have to devote an adequate amount of time in preparing their work and then upload it within a timely manner as stipulated by the instructor. Hybrid courses will provide the perfect synergy of both the traditional classroom experience and the online learning platform.
Students will have the opportunity to choose either methodologies that are more compatible with their schedule, minimizing COVID-19 exposure at the same time. By doing this, they can still conduct research, volunteer at different organizations, shadow physicians and maintain a good GPA.
This transition has also introduced job opportunities, like the NSU Room Shark leadership position, which provides students with the platform to prepare online forums for professors prior
to the inception of their respective classes. This will expose them to the intricate software packages and other systems while earning money.
For the past few months, NSU and other schools across the country have implemented such hybrid changes that are consistent with the recommended protocols by the CDC and public health experts. In preparation for face-to-face classes, social distancing, face coverings, other safety protocols will also be mandated for all students and faculties. Hand-sanitizing stations and safety plexiglasses have also been constructed as an additional safety measure.
For those who do not feel comfortable returning to campus, remote classes will resume with multiple cameras, microphones and screens installed to ensure proper delivery of the curriculum. Even in a pandemic, we have found a way to ensure our education and hybrid courses have given new impetus and options to institutions, their faculties and students.
