Education
31st October 2024

The Dangers of Becoming too Remote

Article by Aniqah Majid

Aniqah Majid speaks to the University of Bath’s John Chew about the damaging impact remote and hybrid learning are having on students’ social skills

REMOTE and hybrid learning became commonplace at universities during the Covid pandemic, with “nearly a third” of UK universities sticking to the format in 2022–23, according to the BBC.

Students have become more digitally literate, explains John Chew, the new deputy dean for the Faculty of Engineering & Design at the University of Bath. However, he says that has come at the expense of developing their soft skills.

“Face-to-face interaction has changed, especially when you look at the transition from Year 12 to university – it’s almost like social shock,” he says, pointing to students being more comfortable having discussions online where they have the option to remain anonymous.

This was supported by a 2023 survey from higher education research firm Jisc¹ which found that 55% of students preferred to learn mainly online or a mix of on campus and online.

And yet, from plant operating to research and development, the majority of industry and engineering jobs are people-facing.

Increasing interaction

Engineering students from Bath have the opportunity for year-long placements in industry, with the university partnered with leading employers, including EDF, Unilever, and Dow.

“From speaking to placement providers, some of them mention when students go through the interviews, though some are good, others are less so because they are really nervous,” says Chew.

And while nervousness in interview situations is nothing new, Chew believes the shift towards learning in isolation has only exacerbated the problem.

“Some students choose to stay within their comfort zone where things are done online, where they may choose not to attend lectures as there is a recording available,” he says.

“In-person classes encourage students to develop stronger verbal and non-verbal communication skills. These are crucial for interviews, where body language, tone, and eye contact are often key elements.

“In-person discussions (eg interacting with professors) also simulate the kinds of interactions students will have in interviews. They allow them to practice professionalism, eg punctuality, appearance, and confidence.”