Love It or Leave It

Abstract

Prior to the impact of COVID-19, more institutions had made online learning a part of the education landscape. The United Stated Department of Education acknowledged that more than 6.9 million college students were enrolled in some type of distance learning course. Although not always embraced by all parts of the higher education community, some form of online learning contributes to many college fiscal bottom lines. Classes may be fully online, or some type of hybrid or blended learning, and synchronous or asynchronous. Each plays a role in the success or failure of an online curriculum, but more importantly, each can play a role in an institution's bottom line. The pandemic pushed more institutions to switch to online and hybrid courses, particularly those referred to as synchronous courses. This chapter will examine the positives and negatives associated with the increase in moving courses to various online formats. This includes typical explorations on student engagement and technology-based issues.