Emma Wordsmith
During the pandemic, colleges and universities shifted to remote learning, making online classes a common choice out of necessity. As institutions adapt their course offerings to boost flexibility and enrollment, students now have a wider range of options to consider.
The California Student Journalism Corps, as part of EdSource, explored why students are deciding between online and in-person classes by asking key questions at seven educational institutions in California.
“In the 2022–23 academic year, around 53% of college students enrolled in at least one online course (according to National Center for Education Statistics data released in January). Are any of your classes online? Which classes are they? Do you actively seek them out? Why?”
Here are the insights gathered from the students.
“This semester, I’m not enrolled in any online classes, but I did take some last semester,” Baker shared. Despite his negative experiences with online classes, he acknowledged the importance of engagement. For Baker, returning to in-person classes led to better performance.
Baker emphasized the value of classroom interactions, stating, “You’re interacting with the whole environment. You don’t get that experience online. To me, it’s really frustrating.”
By Delilah Brumer
“This semester, I’m taking Communications 101 online. I decided to take this class because of my positive past experiences with online courses. The flexibility and accessibility to the teacher were key factors for me,” Harris explained.
By Delilah Brumer
“I currently don’t have any online classes due to my struggles with ADHD. The lack of connection and interaction in online classes hampers my learning experience,” Lopez expressed.
By Delilah Brumer
“I’m taking computer architecture online this semester since it’s the only available option. I prefer in-person classes for the human interaction and accessibility to professors,” Nguyen affirmed.
By Delilah Brumer
“This semester, I’m taking three online classes: English 102, Computer Science 116, and Communications 121,” Yaish revealed. For Yaish, the choice between online and in-person classes depends on professors’ feedback on Rate My Professor.
By Delilah Brumer
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