Editor’s note: We would like to thank Thandolwethu Zimba, Language and Writing Consultant at the Teaching and Learning Centre at the University of Fort Hare, South Africa for providing this collection of responses. To contact the author, please email TLC. If you would like to share your writing center’s experience during COVID-19, please submit via WLN.

                                                Thandolwethu Zimba

It is considered a privilege, being at a tertiary institution and knowing how to operate a computer because some students are not fortunate enough to have access to such. Fort Hare being a historical black university, has faced difficulty in terms of using online learning as some students are dependent on National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances so they could purchase laptops. Unfortunately, we all come from different backgrounds, while some are privileged and the institution struggles to cater for all students, as their financial needs are not the same.

Online learning was a good initiative to ensure teaching and learning continued as it allowed students to interact with their lecturers. However, this has put many students at a disadvantage because of being unable to access the internet, some students are unable to use computers and others do not afford to buy sufficient data to do their school work. Many students come from rural areas therefore they do not have access to facilities such as internet café or you may find that the nearest library is too far for them to travel by foot.

One of the issues revolved around students that were unable to have access to the internet or buying data so they are able to do their assignments and submit for reviewing. The university issued a moratorium on summative assessments until the issue was sorted for students.

The network connection is quite bad in rural areas therefore students are not up to date with checking emails daily or even viewing content on Blackboard. The students had access to these facilities when they were using the Wi-Fi at their residences and around campus. It is clear that the pandemic has caused challenges with our personal lives, our daily lives and our work at the writing center.

Our line of work is dependent upon students submitting their assignments for reviewing, requests for consultations on academic writing. Unfortunately, it has been difficult trying to engage with students when they want to consult outside our normal environment since it is an intimate set up that encouraged more interaction. In our department, we have a designated area for Peer Assisted Student Services (called the PASS Venue). The venue was created as a space where students are able to visit when they need help with academic writing or consulting with their Supplemental Instructors. The venue is also a sacred place for facilitators as they use it in their spare time for studying during exams and for school work. Unfortunately, the venue had to be closed due to COVID 19 national lockdown.

Personally, it has been very difficult to be at home for such a long time. It has been difficult having to get school work done as I do not have my own space which I can use for studies. There are many people at home, which does not allow for privacy when I need to do my work and is a distraction for me. Although staying at home gave me time to reflect on many things regarding my life, it has not been an easy journey adjusting to being at home for a very long time but it gave me a break that I needed, as school can be overwhelming at times. Another positive outcome is seeing my family take interest in keeping their body and minds healthy at all times while having to educate children about the importance of hygiene.

For our department, this has created awareness of the services we offer as the Teaching and Learning Center. Many students were unaware that one could send an assignment via email instead of handing in a hard copy. It is always rewarding seeing students partake in the services we offer and how we are able to bridge the gap as facilitators at a time like this. The pandemic has shown me that as a writing center, we should use more online approaches to make provision for those that are unable to access our venue, teaching them how to use Blackboard for discussions, meetings and improving their writing skills.