The Complexity of Remote Learning

by Olivia Appleton

At the beginning of the pandemic, students across the world had to learn from home. While there were difficulties adjusting to the new norm, some Cape Cod Community College (4C’s) students say they enjoyed this new change. Now, two years later, remote learning is still an option for students. Some students who chose to continue with remote learning say they learn better from a screen. Some have also made strong connections through zoom with their peers.

“Making friends through Zoom has benefited me because now I have people to talk to through texting if I miss class and need to catch up or I have questions on the homework,” says Samantha Dunford who is in her second semester of remote learning. Learning remotely offers many online resources for Dunford that help her as well as if she was in the classroom.

“I like seeing professors and students in their natural element at home through Zoom.” says Dunford. “It gives good conversation starters and reveals more about their personality.” This learning experience helps Dunford connect with different people on a new level.

Learning remotely has also affected Harley Christensen greatly throughout the pandemic. Christensen is on their fifth semester learning remotely and prefers this method.

“I did learn that I like remote more than in person because it gives me more time to myself and gives me a flexible schedule,” Christensen says. 

For some students, learning through online methods allows more flexibility if they don’t live near campus, or if they have a busy schedule. And just like in the classroom, student connections can be made just as well through Zoom.

“In Spring 2021, I took an ASL course on Zoom and met someone who is one of my best friends now. She comes to me for a lot of college advice and we’ve gotten really close,” Christensen says. However, online learning has presented some challenges for Christensen.

“It lacks routine, which I miss about in-person learning. Getting on my laptop in my bedroom isn’t the ideal learning situation, especially when I already struggle with finding motivation,” Christensen says. But with this struggle, Christensen has also learned more about what they want to do in the future.

“I’ve also learned that after receiving my Associates degree, I’m not interested in getting my Bachelor’s, but just continuing taking accounting courses online for my job,” Christensen says. Without remote learning, Christensen would not have discovered what they wanted to do on their career path.

Both Dunford and Christensen enjoy remote learning at 4C’s because of the flexibility, connections with the student body, and resources being offered. For these students, remote learning has been a mostly positive experience at 4C’s.

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