Article 6.1 – A Reflection on Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sydney Bjorndalen*

An Introduction to Literature (ENG 1000) taught by Dr. Awan is my first English course I have taken with University College of the North (UCN). I have taken various courses, due to completing my Bachelor of Social Work Degree in February 2018. I have taken face-to-face and online courses throughout my post-secondary education. Face-to-face learning is different than online learning because there is a sense of community and networking with the professor and the other students. If there are questions, comments or discussions, I think it is more comfortable to be in person to talk with the professor and other students about the class subjects. My expectation of online learning was to have lots of clear communication, discussion, and interaction with other students through UCN Learn and Zoom meetings. Through my experience of online learning with Dr. Awan, I am glad to tell that I have a good feeling because he has been a great communicator and willing to make appropriate changes to best suit the needs of the students for online learning. In our synchronous online class, we are given opportunities to interact with not only the professor but also other students about learnt subjects. Through both asynchronous and synchronous online learning, I have learnt a lot about literature such as literary analysis for the required texts we have explored during this course. The short essay, “Wilby as an Escapist in William Trevor’s “Folie à Deux,” is to demonstrate my understanding of how Wilby is portrayed as an escapist by the author.

*Please see article “Wilby as an Escapist in William Trevor’s ‘Folie à Deux’” on page 68 for author’s biography, photo, and instructor’s remarks.