Transitions in learning

Some face-to-face classes changing to online

As Fall 2021 takes off, some classes scheduled as face to face are transitioning to hybrid or online to allow flexibility for faculty and students. 

“A faculty member can choose, if they are teaching a face-to-face class, can choose to deliver a portion of that class in a hybrid environment to reduce density, if they feel that they need to do that for the health and safety of everyone,” said Kimberly Selber, an associate professor and coordinator for the graduate program in the Communication Department. 

“[Faculty members] can make that choice, as long as they are making sure that the students are informed and aren’t confused,” Selber said. “So, they gave us a lot of leeway to do that. And [I] was told ‘Really it’s what you’re comfortable with.’ 

Selber said faculty members can make that choice as long as they make sure students are informed. She said the university gave faculty a lot of leeway.

“I saw in my first two classes, 100% of the students were wearing masks. As you all know, we cannot mandate masks, but I think it was a great showing of how much the students care about one another, that they’re
willing to be uncomfortable and wear a mask. And I think it’s both for their own health
and safety but also being considerate to others.”   

It is about keeping everyone safe, but not becoming paralyzed, Selber said. 

“That’s really what this is about,” she said. “It’s about giving the professors, giving the faculty, the leeway to figure out how to get it done in the best possible way for our students,” she said. 

“My three classes are all face to face,” said Selber, adding that she will not be changing them. 

Contacted last Thursday, Janna Arney, UTRGV deputy president and interim provost, said she did not have an estimate of how many courses have changed from in person to hybrid or online. 

“Our course schedule was put together last spring,” Arney said. “Students registered for particular courses that were offered in particular modalities and, so, we wanted very much to keep the schedule like what they registered for. We wanted to make sure to give students and faculty the ability to offer their courses in a way–let’s say a student becomes ill or unable to come to class–that the courses were still set up with hybrid teachers to allow that student to continue along their educational journey.”

Selber said she is testing new education technology. She is working with Information Technology to test the Meeting Owl. The Owl has a small speaker,  a 360-degree camera and microphone. It offers a panoramic view of everyone in the room. 

“It creates the experience of in-person participation for hybrid teams and integrates seamlessly with conferencing platforms,” according to its website. 

 Selber said there are only so many smart classrooms and Zoom classrooms, but the Owl is portable. It picks up microphones and video.

“We’re here for a reason and we want to educate you and make great alumni and great citizens that are servant leaders and conscientious,” Selber said. “And you do that by learning good habits and part of that is showing up on all definitions of that.”

Ashley Cho, a graphic design senior, said her four face-to-face classes were online the first week. 

“They just said it was due to the pandemic and, like, the delta variant, that they’re going to see how it goes the first two weeks and, if not, they’re going to make us come just full traditionally,” Cho said, referring to her professors. 

Even with the changes in classes and learning environments, student activities and other events are still being planned in person and have not been changed. 

“We are offering different events throughout the week,” said Karen Dorado, director of special programs and community relations for University Marketing and Communication. “We’re offering them in a virtual capacity, in person and then hybrid as well. So, at the moment, our plans continue to be what they were as of a week ago. I’m not changing any of the plans at the moment. But, if anything changes, we’ll update that on the Best Week Ever website.”