Resumen de The Role of Communication in the Success/Failure of Remote Learning of Chemistry during COVID-19

Konara Y. Kollalpitiya, Colleen M. Partigianoni, Daniel A. Adsmond

• Owing to the COVID-19 global pandemic, three chemistry instructors at Ferris State University, with no previous online instructional experience, made the abrupt midsemester switch from face-to-face to remote delivery in their respective chemistry courses. This paper discusses the importance of communication during the rapid change to remote delivery, the factors affecting the quality of remote delivery communication, and the students’ experience based on surveys given at the end of the 8 weeks online. The immediate decisions that the instructors made and the consequences of those decisions are discussed, as well as possible solutions to communication-related issues raised by students. In light of what was learned, future face-to-face course design can better anticipate the possibility of another abrupt switch to remote learning, paving the way for a smoother transition and a more effective online learning experience.