91% of students would rather see the return of in-person teaching than continue with remote online study in the next academic year, according to a new research carried out by Future Generation in partnership with UniTaskr.[1]

Final year Ancient and Medieval History student Isabel Pendleton told Redbrick that going back to in-person teaching is something that ‘needs to happen.’ 

She explained: ‘The whole of first year I was told that watching lectures on Panopto would result in far less understanding, and, overall, a worse grade. It is ridiculous that the university would even consider staying online- whilst charging in-person fees- when every other aspect of ‘normal’ life has returned.’ 

Another student, Chelsie Henshaw, who studies English and French, told Redbrick that they can see the benefits ‘to both in-person and online teaching.’ While they feel that ‘blended learning is vital to promoting a non-ableist education’,

‘blended learning is vital to promoting a non-ableist education’

they ‘don’t think we can pretend that online teaching provides the same quality of teaching as in person.’ 

Chelsie also explained that it can be ‘very difficult to motivate yourself to watch them when there is no set schedule and a lack of interactivity.’ As a modern languages student, most classes are ‘interactive’ and involve ‘computers, listening, and speaking.’ It is ‘very hard to replicate that type of teaching online.’ 

Throughout the past year teaching at universities has been predominantly online as England moved in and out of lockdown. At the start of March, the government allowed universities to ‘invite students on practical courses and creative subjects who need to access specialist facilities and equipment’ back to in-person teaching.

According to their website, the University of Birmingham has planned to offer a ‘full campus-based and in-person teaching experience’ from September. However, online and digital learning will still be used to ‘supplement’ and ‘enhance’ teaching.

online and digital learning will still be used to ‘supplement’ and ‘enhance’ teaching

Online learning will also be available as a back-up option for those who are unable to return to campus due to reasons such as travel restrictions.

Study spaces including the library will be open in September. The university, however, does state that ‘this may change if there are changes to government regulations or guidance,’ but feel as though they ‘have reasons to feel optimistic.’ 

Safety measures such as one-way systems, hand sanitizer stations, and increased cleaning provisions have been introduced by the university, and upon return to campus students will be given a ‘university pack’ which includes a face covering. ‘Additional measures’ have been put in place in student halls including contactless reporting which means support can be accessed digitally to minimise face-to-face interactions.

The university states online: ‘Our teams are continuing to work flat out to make sure that campus is a safe environment for teaching, socialising and other activities.’

[1] Future Generation/UniTaskr Poll of 102 students.

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