We are excited to be back on campus even as the University and in extension department have decided to adopt the virtual model of teaching. AASA PRESS, decided to reach out to students of the department of Archeology and Anthropology to get their opinions on the virtual classes expected to start soon.
Here are some of the responses we got.
TEMILOLUWA, 100 LEVEL
“My opinion about everything going on in UI presently as a freshman is that the management of the University of Ibadan does not want to take responsibility of any Covid-19 case. Hence, they chose to introduce the virtual way of communicating with the students. What I think about the virtual class that is about to commence is that, first, we have to hope that it works out fine.
I, as a freshman in the university, who has been fantasizing about getting on campus and exploring it, is not so impressive because my parents don’t even grant me the permission to go into the school environs as many student do. I also think that some people may find it disturbing as to getting to access the whole virtual thing. Situations like network issues, power outage may also occur which may affect battery percentages of mobile devices and the likes.”
BENJAMIN, 200 LEVEL
“ virtual class really destabilised most student.Especially the freshers, I don’t think this is a good idea… No proper orientation, those who have no access to smart phones will feel this the more.”
COLLINS, 300 LEVEL
“My thought about the virtual classes.
The world is adapting to the ‘new normal’ dawned by the COVID-19 Pandemic. That on its own is very obvious. It will only make sense if we allow ourselves the time to embrace the ‘unfolding world’.
However, the University may have been caught unawares on this issue. Yes. The importance of preparation cannot be overemphasized. Before now, certain events should have taken a new and better turn in the University. Among them are course registration and subsequent corrections, GES, and Post UTME. Had it been the University stepped up their game on the abovementioned events before now, this turn to a fully virtual pattern would be much easier. Imagine if course registration in its entirety (including the add and delete exercise) were online; GES registrations, lectures, continuous assessments, and examinations following suit; and the University’s entrance examination too. These are some of the activities that should have been digitalized a long time ago. Having the experience of taking GES classes and exams online would have given the students some level of preparedness for the ‘new normal’.Now, everyone has to take this drastic turn without a prior briefing so to say.
One thing is this, a number of students would be missing out on the virtual plan. I am not talking about the cost now, as in resources. I am talking about a pattern that would have required some kind of test run before being fully utilized.
Indeed, the University was caught unawares and it is not very good for an institution of its caliber. However, we have to move on and learn from today for a planned tomorrow. Going virtual will mean a lot. More disturbance is even posed by the fact that students are not accommodated on campus. If not for anything else, for the power supply which can be regulated to a point of balance on campus. I try reaching friends who have settled in Ajibode, Agbowo, and some of the nearby communities, and their phones are switched off because, for a whole day, there has not been power supply. This, among others, may be looked out for.
All fingers are not equal. Some students have been fully equipped for these resources wise, whereas some are still scraping little sauce as the pot boils. Can we do away with this? Not at this impromptu time. I am just concerned about the way it would be done to have close to the same effect that the physical classes have exerted over the years. Achieving this would need the two parties concerned coming together in thought, considering each other, and making some sacrificial commitment to make the plan work.
Summarily, the Students’ Representative on the UI-ERT, Oluwaferanmi Omitoyin (the Speaker of the UISU SRC, 8th Assembly) has advised all students to do some homework on the Moodle Open-Source platform to get ourselves equipped for the classes. I will like to reiterate that here. The bulk of our course materials (both audio, audiovisual, video, and prints) is likely to be uploaded on the Moodle platform for Students’ access and utilisation.
As we launch into this, make sure to strengthen the bond of friendship among yourselves by regularly checking on your classmates to know how the process is going. Place calls across, send texts, chat, etc. Reach out to your student leaders when you have difficulties that need urgent attention. We may not be on campus but we are still working together. Good a thing, we have always had a responsive Student Affairs Division.
Indeed, it is a new normal and we can only stay up to it. UITES can do this. Yes, we can. Let’s give it our best as the University does so too.
Welcome back to business. For the mind that knows, is the mind that’s free”
DOLAPO, 400 LEVEL
“What I think of the Virtual classes commencing very soon as an advancement and improvement on the level of academics in the institution. It encourages online classes in schools advance countries have made part of their program, in which some of us benefitted from during the lockdown.
Also, the lockdown helps to curb the overspreading of COVID-19 , protects the university environment from being a grooming center for the Virus. Though, to some level, it affects the total effectiveness of academic activities, probably because the institution is just adopting this pattern, but I’m sure overtime it will gel and blend with the primary idea it is was created for.”
AASA PRESS UI 