Six on Zoom

6 on Zoom

Iris van Brunschot Journalist Pauline Marie Søndenå Translator

In the January block of 2021 students spent much of their time inside, participating in their online classes. Covid or not – starting the year off like this can be quite tough. We wanted to find out how it is to participate digitally in these intensive courses. Tuntreet spoke to 6 people on Zoom to find out how it actually is to only have online lessons.

We asked the students the following questions? 1. What do you study? 2. Which subject did you take in the January block? 3. Do you think the bar is high or low when it comes to participating orally in class? 4. How do you rate the online lectures? 5. Do you do anything to be social and to compensate for the digital everyday life?

Mari Vold Hansen

Study: International Environment & Development Studies Subject: EDS279 (Writing course) Bar for participation: I think the bar is quite low, because you can always write in the chat. The bar is higher in an auditorium. Rating: 3. I am not a big fan of the online classes. I pay more attention when I can participate physically, and it´s easier to discuss in a classroom rather than being split up in breakout rooms. I also like to meet my fellow students at campus. Compensation for the digital everyday life: I spend a lot of time with my collective, and I often go to the Ur building to study. I’ve also been skiing quite a lot and try to do this every day.

Photo: private

Photo: Iris van Brunschot

Helene Bergo Mund

Studie: International Environment & Development Studies Subject: EDS279 (Writing seminar) Bar for participation: I think it’s easier to talk in the Zoom classes than in the physical ones, but It’s always a bit higher if we are many people in the class. Rating: 4. It’s harder for me to get something out of the lessons when they are digital. They’re not as catchy, and you quickly find yourself doing other things. Compensation for the digital everyday life: I try to meet people outside, for example to go ice skating, go to the forest to light a fire or go for a walk. You can also spend the night outside, go swimming, make a snowman, go sledding etc. There are so many possibilities!

Study: Landscape Architecture Subject: LAD100 (Introduction to Digital Tools in Landscape Architecture) Bar for participation: I think the bar is higher in a Zoom class than in a physical class. Rating: 4. It’s easy to keep up and to understand the subject, and the workload is quite nice. Compensation for the digital everyday life: I talk a lot on the phone with my friends and find exciting things to do on my own.

Photo: private

Foto: Privat

Maren Vedvik Dammen

Study: Environment and natural resources Subject: HFX133 (Challenges for Future Food Production) Bar for participation: I think the bar is much higher in a Zoom class. Rating: 4. It can be hard to keep up the concentration level, because lessons online tend to be heavy and monotonous. Luckily the professors are good at sticking to the schedule and give us breaks. The prerecorded classes also give us more flexibility, because we get the opportunity to see them when we have the time. Nevertheless, I prefer to follow the classes directly to not miss any questions. Compensation for the digital everyday life: I’m spending time outside walking, skiing and sledding every day, as well as going to the gym.

Study: Forest science Subject: TRE200 (Wood Technology I) Bar for participation: It varies. I think the professors open up for oral input, but this is mostly as questions towards the end of class or during breaks. Still, people come with their own inputs which creates a small feeling of being in an actual classroom. Rating: 5. It’s brilliant to be able to see lectures over again at my own speed. This is something that suits me very well, especially in subjects where I have less basic knowledge. I’m also very pleased with the understanding the professors show us. Even though it would have been better for all of us to have physical and recorded classes, the professors do everything they can to make the best out of the situation. Compensation for the digital everyday life: I can become a bit restless of all the screen time, so I go for a lot of walks. Luckily, I have friends who can join me if I wish.

Study: Geomatics Subject: INF200 (Advanced programming) Bar for participation: Generally, I think it’s quite easy to participate, especially since the lessons are mandatory. Rating: 3. I would say it’s quite mediocre. The days are long and it’s very intensive. Sometimes it takes quite a long time before you get help. Compensation for the digital everyday life: We work together a lot online after class. I also spend time in my collective’s common area. In addition, I try to go outside, but I usually don’t have time before it gets dark.

Gisle Orheim

Photo: private

Photo: private

Tord Kristian Andersen