Kerstin F.: What effects will the coronavirus pandemic have on future learning methods? Does a temporary change like this show us that face-to-face communication is unnecessary, or is it more likely to confirm the importance of human contact and direct exchange?

Bettina Fuhrmann, head of the Institute for Business Education:

The measures implemented in March of 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19 forced teachers at universities and other educational institutions to switch their planned syllabi to distance learning more or less overnight. We have been providing text materials, presentations, videos, and assignments online for several years now, to complement our classroom teaching and allow students to work at their own pace and in their chosen surroundings, but now, in November of 2020, all of our teaching has to be provided in digital form once again.

On the one hand, this means that we are now even more aware than we were before of the wide range of possibilities offered by distance learning and can use them in different ways, depending on the course’s teaching and learning objectives. There are numerous advantages: teaching and learning whenever and wherever it’s most convenient, the use of interactive, internet-based learning options, and online meetings where people can exchange ideas and give each other feedback. If distance learning is well coordinated with the course’s teaching and learning goals and prepared in a user-friendly way, it is generally well received. This works particularly well when it comes to knowledge transfer. But as far as interaction and personal exchange with one another is concerned, it is considerably more difficult to implement that effectively. Certainly, many teachers are currently learning to appreciate the wide variety of options available – livestreaming from the classroom, video materials, interactive assignments, etc. – and are likely to continue using them more extensively and with more routine in the future.

On the other hand, it is becoming apparent that this form of learning and working has its limits. Many questions need to be addressed, for example: How long can I stay concentrated and maintain healthy ergonomics when working in front of a computer screen? As a teacher, how can I get to know my students, motivate them, keep their attention, and encourage active participation if I never meet them in person and can never initiate spontaneous eye contact? How can I integrate student presentations, feedback, and discussion in distance learning as effectively as in classroom teaching? How can I make sure the students are actually achieving the teaching and learning goals?

And then there’s the technology: Will everything work as intended, and what happens if I have no internet connection and can’t answer emails or upload materials? Over the past few months we have seen the available tools develop at a breakneck pace, and as teachers we have learned a great deal about using them. We can write on a virtual blackboard, present multiple slides simultaneously, have students join the conversation, and divide them up into small groups for project work. In spite of all of this: We miss the direct contact to our students, we would love to see them in person and interact face to face with them again.

Overall, my guess is that in the future, distance learning will certainly play a more important role in teaching than it has in the past. I also think, however, that we will have learned to appreciate face-to-face teaching and direct contact to students more, and to make better use of our time in the classroom.