Zachary Connell—
Students across the country are having to switch to online courses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the question, do students prefer online classes to face-to-face classes?
“I think it would depend on what type of class it was. I don’t mind having a couple of my classes online. Still, I do miss the interaction between professors and students which online classes lack,” said junior Sophia Laperle, who majors in Professional Communications at Fitchburg State.     
According to a poll posted by The Point, 70.6 percent of students who participated voted that they would not take online classes next semester if the campus were to be open. 
“I don’t love online classes. For students who need that extra visual lecture, we miss out on a lot of vital information for the class. I hope next semester is fully in-person classes,” said junior Ashley Wheeler, who is also a Professional Communications major at Fitchburg State.
“I like online classes for electives, but for my main courses, I like to be there to attend class so I can talk to my professors then and there,” said sophomore Vinny Eramo, who majors in Exercise Science at Fitchburg State.  
Online classes are an option for Fitchburg State students. However, with this current pandemic, the question is: will the University approach those online classes differently in the future, and what does it mean for future students who want to take more online courses?
“In terms of preparing for having to have remote teaching and learning in the fall, plans are being developed limited to increasing training for faculty and students on how best to teach and learn remotely. The reason for that is that when we return face to face in the fall, it is likely that there may be an increased likelihood that an individual student or faculty member or a group of individuals will have to move to remote teaching and learning because of potential illness or exposure.  We have both the technology and the personnel to offer these training sessions,” said Provost and Vice President Alberto J.F. Cardelle.