The primary lesson I learned from the pandemic is that it reinforced my preexisting bias that online education...is bad...compared to face to face education. This is coming from a lecturer who's taught online and face to face courses for years prior to the pandemic. I understand that online education is convenient and important and better when compared to the worst kinds of face to face instruction (large lecture classes) blah blah blah, and I suppose it's good that it exists, but the
bottom line is, there is no substitute for quality face to face instruction.

Another thing I will take forward is this memory. We were in the transitional period of returning to face to face instruction. I had a student in a face to face lab. We were running overtime and they said they had to run to another class, so they did. I wrapped things up, took care of some loose ends, and was walking off campus half an hour later when I saw this student with a friend, chatting animatedly. I said "I thought you had to go to class!" and they said "I AM in class" and pointed to their phone and an earbud. A car pulled up and picked them up and drove away. This student was simultaneously attending a synchronous zoom lecture, muted, chatting with a friend, and arranging transportation to who knows where. I'm not judging so don't say "OK boomer." But I'm wondering about this strange new world. Whether or not students like their new educational opportunities, is this good education? You tell me. By the way, the student got a C in my class.

OK, real stuff to take forward. Zoom office hours simultaneous with face to face office hours. Why not?! Let students sort themselves out according to mental health, shyness, business, health, transportation misery, and the type of advice they need. Office hour consultation doesn't suffer much for being online. That said, communication face to face is richer, but why not leave it up to students to choose?

Another thing I will take forward is no change in my awareness that online exams are hackable and cheating sometimes happens, but it seems to be no more or less rampant than face to face cheating. The "log" kept by Canvas for student activity during exams can not, according to Admin, be used as evidence of cheating, but IMHO it's a hint. Exam questions sometimes get uploaded to online sites — from both online and face to face exams. Fine. There's plenty of defensive measures an online faculty can do to reduce cheating: test banks, randomized answer order, time limits, and of course, changing exam questions between semesters! I'm kind of a fan of online exams and seriously consider using them even for my face to face classes; why show up to a stress-pheromone infused nightmare of lecture hall to take an exam when you can stay at home and take it with the cat on your lap and a cup of tea?

I teach science and give lab practical exams. I am SO HAPPY to go back to synchronous, in person, with paper and pen/pencil lab practical exams. Real specimens that have odor and texture and variable lighting and paper! Sitting in a sunny comfortable location far from my computer to grade a stack of papers, and leave little notes next to their answers with praise and encouragement and sometimes yes, frustration! The bonding among students afterwards as they share their joy and frustration!

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