The compassion demonstrated by your sixth-grade teacher is wonderful. I
am sure that experience has helped you build the tools to become who
you are today! COVID-19 caused a lot of chaos around the world but, like
you, I would have expected the professor to respecting the current
learning requirements and apply appropriate accommodations which
would have allowed the student and your group to continue meeting the
previously stated high expectation.
Your question regarding the effectiveness of modular learning in our high-
tech world seems to have a lot of attention right now. Because of the
pandemic many medical courses, which were previously 100% in person,
figured out a way to move forward with virtual learning platforms. While
there are a number of articles available from these experiences around
the globe, I personally enjoyed an article focusing on the continued
importance of displaying positive emotion during video lectures in order to
promote better learning outcomes (Horovitz & Mayer, 2021).
Regarding the effectiveness of modular learning when compared to in
person learning, I really think that depends on the topic, student, and the
overall course expectation. For instance, I would not want a doctor
working on me that has never stepped inside a class or practiced on a
cadaver. Additionally, if the medical students do not meet their
classmates in person they are missing out on critical socialization and
networking opportunities within their field of practice. However, the
preparatory lectures and virtual learning labs really can be completed
anywhere and if that learning environment works well for the individual
then I think it should be available as an option.
Reference:
Horovitz, T., & Mayer, R. E. (2021). Learning with human and virtual
instructors who display happy or bored emotions in video
lectures.Computers in Human Behavior,119, N.PAG. https://doi-
org.usu01.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106724
