RETHINKING VIRTUAL CLASSROOM

A PRAGMATIC WAY OF ENSURING SOCIAL DISTANCING IN A LARGE CLASS IN THE POST COVID-19 ERA

Abstract

This paper presents virtual classroom as a solution to the challenge of social distancing in a large class in our education system in a post COVID-19 era. General courses in higher institution are normally offered by many students and in most cases are faced with inadequate spaces that can accommodate the whole students thus making it difficult to observe the social distancing rule for controlling the Covid-19. In this study efforts were made to discuss the problems associated with large classes leading to an in-depth comparison between traditional classroom and virtual classroom and the benefits of virtual classroom highlighted. In the light of the above, this paper centered on provoking the action of government, management, school administrators and other stakeholders in educational system towards rethinking instructional delivery vis-a-vis virtual classroom for a better performance and safety of the life of students in higher institutions. The paper recommends among others, the provision of enabling environment in tertiary institutions for the actualization of safe and sound academic environment.