By Harley Barnes
Hundreds of Utah State University professors are rushing to meet a Wednesday deadline for moving their courses online.
Utah State announced Thursday that all classes would be taught online as a safety measure during the coronavirus pandemic.
Although Peter Crosby has long used elements of technology in his U.S. Institutions course — with students offering video responses to online learning prompts — he said moving all class content to the web has been a challenge.
In his course, students typically hand in a paper copy of their essays. Lectures have always been done in person.
“It is definitely an adjustment, but the technology we are lucky enough to have makes the transition very possible,” he said.
Crosby said it also helps to have a few days to prepare. All USU classes were cancelled on Friday and will remain on hiatus through Wednesday to allow professors to adjust to the new system.
For some, the adjustment won't be too tough.
Sociology professor Jason Leiker said his previous experiences with online classes are a big help.
“I have taught online for over a decade and currently teach this course online, which should be of benefit,” he said.
Leiker said he has great students, and they will continue to succeed whether they are on-campus or off.
For English professor John Engler, though, something meaningful will be lost in the transition.
“Frankly, I’m pretty glum about missing out on the last five weeks of class with the students who have become my good friends,” Engler said. “Teaching online simply doesn’t hold the same appeal for me.”
The university also announced a limited number of courses may still require in-person participation where additional safety measures will be taken. Those courses have not yet been identified.
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