Zooming through a pandemic

USDA Scholar Jourdon Huntley (above) works in the lab. Professor Carollyn Boykins-Winrow (right) stands front and center in front of her students during a class that occurred before the pandemic. Both faculty and students had to adjust quickly to new teaching tools when the pandemic closed the country down in early March of 2020. Photos by Joan Kite

Faculty, students take speed course in new technology

By JOAN KITE

The final days of “The Science of Meat” class were approaching, and it was now time for students to present their formal presentations. Only this time, being in front of the class meant presenting from one’s home with a PowerPoint presentation through Zoom.

The pandemic had rearranged the stage and all the players, including the professor, were forced to adjust to new teaching tools.

“We have been on Zoom classes for a year now. We do presentations every week for Animal Health and Disease,” said USDA scholar Jourdon Huntley, 21, sounding like a veteran presenter. “I hate presenting in front of others, but I have this switch. It just turns on.”

Watching the students present their findings through Zoom, one would never know that the software is a relatively new tool for the school box. Assistant Professor Carollyn Boykins-Winrow, who teaches “The Science of Meat” class, said she has also had to adapt.

“I learned to be very tolerant on Zoom,” Boykins-Winrow said. “Much like the students, I had to grow into it.”

“I learned to be very tolerant on Zoom. Much like the students, I had to grow into it.”

Carollyn Boykins-Winrow Animal Science Professor

ZOOMING, Turn to page 48