Universities use more online learning to deal with winter woes

Online learning is getting a boost at area colleges and universities this semester, as snow, ice and power outages continue to force closures at a rate not seen in recent memory.

With some schools already having closed for as many as seven days, mostly since the start of the second semester, schools are asking professors to use more online lectures, journals, blogs, quizzes, database research and other methods that don't require face-to-face meetings, officials said.

"Because instructors meet semester outcomes through online, face-to-face, and/or out-of-class learning experiences, they are able to shift to the use of more technology to stay connected with their students when meeting face-to-face is not possible," said Anne Skelder, provost and vice president of academic affairs for Cabrini College in Radnor, which has closed seven days this academic year due to weather and power outages. "The College library electronic resources and virtual librarian assistance has remained accessible throughout these weather emergencies."

Neumann University in Aston will have missed five days as of Friday. The university announced on Wednesday that it was closing for both Thursday and Friday.

"Instead of adding days to the academic calendar, our faculty will make up lost class time through online learning," said Neumann spokesman Steve Bell.

Some universities are unsure how they will account for the missed time.

West Chester University, one of the state's 14 public universities, has closed six days - the most that officials can remember coming so close to the start of the semester. Preliminary discussions are underway on how to make up the time, said Pamela Sheridan, a university spokeswoman.

But the university wants "to get through the next couple of weeks to insure winter storms are behind us before implementing anything," she said, adding that West Chester professors, too, are using more online instruction.

Immaculata University has missed six days, not counting delayed openings.

"Each professor is in charge of making up assignments for his/her class," said spokeswoman Lydia Szyjka.

Community College of Philadelphia has lost two and a half days.

"We have extra days built in, so we are ok for now," said spokeswoman Linda Wallace.

Temple University has closed two days.

"We have not added any days to the semester nor are we taking days away from any breaks," said spokeswoman Eryn Jelesiewicz. Temple also is relying on more online learning.

La Salle University has lost three days.

"There are no plans to make up the time lost physically, but faculty have been asked to assign extra work," said spokesman Jon Caroulis.

University of the Sciences has lost five academic days this semester. It also had to close once during final exams last semester.

"As far as making up for lost time, our policy allows faculty discretion in making up lost time with their classes," said spokesman Brian Kirschner. "They have various options such as online presentations/discussions, Saturday classes, and evening hours as examples. By using these and other strategies, they have already cut the hours missed by two thirds. Any adjustments to the Academic Calendar are made by the provost who is looking into it for this semester."

Drexel University has closed two days including Thursday and canceled evening classes twice. Villanova has closed six and a half days. Cheyney University has closed four times and delayed opening once. No word yet on how they may be handling the lost time.