Ryerson students forced to adapt to online classes amid COVID-19 pandemic
Photo Credit: (Aru Kaul/RSJ)
Written by: Aru Kaul
On March 13, 2020, Ryerson students received an email informing them of the university’s move to remote teaching.
Since then, students and instructors have been dealing with the sudden and widespread shift to online learning. All assessments, including exams, are delivered through D2L. Lectures, labs and tutorials are held through video conferencing software, such as Zoom or Google Hangouts.
Remote teaching proved to have many disadvantages for students. In any form, online interaction does not provide the same benefits as face to face interaction.
It is harder for instructors to navigate an online classroom and initiate online learning. Moreover, it’s also possible to experience computer glitches or Wi-Fi issues.
“One professor had issues making the final visible and we ended up writing the final 3 hours late,” said Giancarlo Rosa, a second year economics student.
Many students have mixed feelings about their classes being online.
“Online studies impacted me in different ways, some of which are beneficial. For example, I get more time to study and sleep, but it also makes me kind of lazy and I start procrastinating a lot,” said Tanav Singla, a first year computer engineering student.
Online classes provide the comfort of studying in your own home, which students believe is one of the positives.
“In online classes I don’t have to commute,” said Syed Shah, a first year business management student.
Continuing education in the Spring/Summer semester
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, classes during the spring/summer semester have also moved online. Many students are taking advantage of this opportunity.
“This gives me the opportunity to have something to do while being stuck at home. I can finish off all my lower liberals and have a lighter course load for second year,” said Jenica Jairam, a first year nursing student.
The online spring/summer semester allows students to go at their own pace with their courses.
“It’ll help me get ahead with my planned minors. With the spring/summer semester being online, I can dedicate the time I want to it instead of a set time,” Rosa said.
Impact of the emergency student benefit plan
Since students have to stay at home for the next four months, they do not have any opportunities for summer jobs or internships.
To help with this matter, an emergency student benefit plan (CESB) was introduced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this week. The benefit sees that non-international postsecondary students receive $1,250 per month from May to August. If the student has a disability or is taking care of someone else, they will receive $1,750. As long as the student makes less than $1000 a month and lives in Canada, they are eligible for the CESB.
Meanwhile, those who are eligible for the CERB will recieve $2000 per month, $750 more than most students. However, the CERB is only for those residing in Canada who are over 15 years old, had to stop working because of reasons related to COVID-19, earned at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application, and who have not voluntarily quit their jobs.
“COVID-19 has meant that there aren’t as many jobs out there for students, and without a job, it can be hard to pay for tuition or the day-to-day basics. You might normally have turned to your parents for help, but right now mom and dad are stretched, too,” Trudeau said.
Students from Ryerson who were interviewed had a positive response about this new plan. They are glad that there is something in place to replace the work they are unable to do.
“I’m glad Trudeau has introduced that fund because I was going to work in the summer. I wanted to work at a grocery store,” Shah said.
Students were glad to have support from the government.
“Many students aren’t able to work and have bills to pay as well. Knowing they have help from the government gives them a sense of relief,” Jairam said.