Professor Actually Enjoys Teaching to the Void

According to a recent faculty-wide survey, David Monaghan, a professor in the Department of English, actually enjoys teaching to the void. While Monaghan began the semester by clearly outlining his expectations for all students to turn their cameras on and actively participate in Zoom lectures, this rule has almost been completely disregarded since midterms.

When The Mugdown spoke to Monaghan, he explained why the lack of engagement has its upside. “If my students aren’t going to participate, at least I can get through a 50-minute lecture without getting interrupted or being asked questions that I’ve already answered multiple times,” Monaghan said.

Julia Herzberg, senior English major, is in Monaghan’s 8 a.m. Young Adult Literature class. When asked why she chooses to turn her camera off, she cited pressure to conform to what her classmates are doing. “At the beginning of the semester, I would answer Dr. Monaghan’s questions in class, but it got awkward when I was the only one with my camera still on. Now, he just kind of asks the question and answers it a few seconds later,” Herzberg said.

The survey revealed that many other professors feel the same way as Monaghan. Susan Barmore, a professor in the Department of Communication, actually prefers students to turn their cameras off during lectures. “This way, I can teach the material without being distracted by half-awake students eating breakfast in bed,” Barmore said. It is unclear how professors will adapt to the potential of in-person lectures resuming in the spring.

 

— Magnum OPAS