Editor’s note: We would like to thank Asanda Makaula, 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.

Online learning is education that takes place over the Internet. It is often referred to as “eLearning” among other terms. However, online learning is just one type of “distance learning” the umbrella term for any learning that takes place across distance and not in a traditional classroom (Scopetta, 2009) My experience using online technology has been very challenging due to minor problems. There are both advantages and disadvantages to online learning.

Students have different backgrounds with most coming from disadvantaged families. In my context, online learning has been very difficult due to not having enough resources to commence with eLearning, and lack of network coverage. On the other hand, being at home presents with more challenges as I am expected to do daily house chores so time is enough to balance schoolwork and other responsibilities. Another thing that is very challenging or rather challenging for me is a lack of face-to-face communication with instructor, which inhibits student feedback, and causes social isolation. There are modules that you need to discuss or practise with your fellow students in order for them to be easy on you and online learning can hinder that as some students might not have internet access or gadgets suitable for online learning. These issues might result in pressure on students and might result in depression causing students to dropout.  Constant nudging by professors may be undesirable for many, but it is an effective method for improving student retention. Online learning also has advantages, it allows for self-paced learning: Students can take courses from their own devices anytime and anywhere. So, those who do not have time for traditional classes can learn online when they have the time.

This pandemic has shown us we need to practice more of online learning, we have to be aware and more knowledgeable about online learning. Therefore, the institution needs to ensure that there is no student that is left behind as our backgrounds differ; they need to ensure that students have enough resources to commence with online learning.

Writing centre has been disadvantaged when it comes to online learning many students are used being communicated face-to-face. I would recommend that the centre raises awareness of online consultation and ensure we have enough resources so that when students seek help we are there to ensure that everything run smoothly.  I would definitely continue promoting online accessibility for future purposes and ensure that tutors have the correct resources to work online. Unlike a face-to-face meeting, the written format allows the student to take breaks and work on certain revisions before going back to the tutor’s advice.  A student might develop the argument or work on organization during one sitting, and then refer back to the advice hours or days later to address additional issues. This not only helps support the busy and often unpredictable schedules of students, it also allows students who might feel overwhelmed by a lot of text to read and consider the advice at their own pace.

The pandemic has resulted in many changes for institutions and societies. It is important that people be proactive and come up with strategies to make the situation less stressful to all university stakeholders to ensure that academic success. Going forward, online learning in the writing center can be very effective to students who have no time to go to writing center, even though in some institutions its already there but it must be encouraged more to ensure that no student is left behind.