The first day of an online Tennessee Tech Monday as classes resumed.
Communications Professor Colleen Mestayer taught two classes via Zoom Monday morning. She said her students are creatures of technology but not in the formal way of using technology to get things done.
“They just have not had that much experience with formal software, if you will,” Mestayer said. “They could do all their little social media stuff. But when it’s, you know, sort of like they were embarrassed. ‘Oh, I don’t want to show my face.’ And I said, no, that’s the purpose of this, is to act like we’re in class. ‘I need to see you. Because that’s how I can tell if you’re okay.’ So even though they are technologically savvy, it’s this is a different realm for them.”
Mestayer’s first class Monday features a large dose of technology. It’s a teamwork class where students learn to work collaboratively. That includes using technology.
“The students are learning to virtually meet and upload all kinds of videos,” Mestayer said “That was fine. And it’s also a very small class.”
The second class of the day focused on research methods. Mestayer said that kind of subject matter proves more difficult to translate online.
“What I’m trying to do is teach them all the individual puzzle pieces,” Mestayer said. “But then I like to give them the big view when the puzzle is complete, what it looks like and why all these individual pieces needed to be done and put in place so that the big picture is done.”
With the first class in two weeks, Mestayer wanted to get her students involved. She said every student spoke, sharing his/her situation. Only one student could not access the class via video. That student could hear the lectures.
“I just needed to see their faces,” Mestayer said. “I wanted to make sure that they were okay, that they had a platform to sort of talk about what’s happening in our world. And I wanted them to feel safe.”
Mestayer said she also believed it was important to get down to work, providing a large dose of academics. She sensed students craving stability and a schedule.
“I think that it may have taken a little longer for that generation to recognize the importance of social distancing,” Mestayer said. “But every one of mine said, ‘oh, no, we’re home. You know, I’m not leaving my apartment unless I have to get groceries.’ ‘I’m bored, but I’m trying to get out and do a little exercise. But I am staying in.’ Which made me feel much better because I need to make sure that they aren’t taking this seriously. And it seems like they are.”