PA College Magazine - Winter 2021 - 3

SECOND
OPINION

Q
A

What has surprised you most about teaching
and learning in the age of COVID-19?

Our experts weigh in.

"

Dolores (Dee) Minchhoff,
DNP, CRNP 
Associate Professor, Division of Nursing

Moving to online teaching/learning from
a traditional face-to-face environment
for class and clinical experiences has
been a challenge for administration,
staff, faculty members and students. 
Most amazing to me is the resiliency
of all involved. Resiliency is being able
to see a difficulty and make efforts to
recover. COVID-19 ranks high among
difficulties encountered in the education
process. In spite of the many challenges
imposed by this virus, students have
managed to overcome the challenges that
[can come with] computer technology,
internet functionality, family responsibilities,
study habits and work responsibilities to
continue their education. Faculty have
spent endless hours discovering or
creating methods to help students learn
and develop critical thinking skills.
Administration and staff have planned
for circumstances never seen before
and many situations that could not be
anticipated. As an entire community
working together, PA College has
been able to continue to offer quality
education to students.  

"

Lisa Dise, MA 
Coordinator, Center for Teaching
and Learning 

I think what surprised me the most
about the College's shift to online
learning was the resilience of our
instructors. Faculty, many of whom
have never taught online and were
not comfortable with technology,
quickly adapted to the changing
situation by converting their content
and assignments to a virtual format.
Instructors created a space where
learning can continue despite
uncertain and changing times.
Throughout the summer and into
the fall and spring, faculty refined
their skills in online teaching in
order to continue to provide an
exceptional online learning experience
for students, despite the challenges
of COVID-19. Moving forward,
instructors remain committed to
[finding] interesting ways to engage
students online and to deliver
content in new and creative ways. 

"

Loren Livote,
Three-Year BSN Program
Graduating May 2021

I was most surprised at how much
I've enjoyed the online learning
environment. I love that the recording
of classes allows me to go back and
determine the most important
information to be successful in class
and as a future RN. I also love that
the online environment allows me
to participate in class safely from
my home (and to save money by not
having to commute). Moving online
abruptly last semester was difficult,
but with instructors [now] having
more time to prep, I think that the
set-up has worked very well. I also
have been surprised about the
challenges [of ] online learning -
for example, staring at the computer
for two-plus hours just for class, then
doing my other online work. I was
recommended blue light glasses, which
have helped with the headaches and
eye strain I was getting. n

PA College / Winter 2021

3
PA College Magazine - Winter 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of PA College Magazine - Winter 2021
