"Lectures on Instagram Live? Did I pay 4 million won for this?" University campuses angry about online lectures

As the start of the new semester for elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide, as well as universities, has been postponed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, Yonsei University campus in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, appeared quiet on the 4th. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] To prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), universities have decided to implement online non-face-to-face lectures for the time being following the postponement of the semester start.

Many universities nationwide, including major universities in Seoul such as Konkuk University, Kyung Hee University, Korea University, Seoul National University, Sungkyunkwan University, Sookmyung Women's University, Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, Chung-Ang University, and Hanyang University, have decided to conduct online lectures.

The problem is that most universities lack experience in operating online lectures.

According to a survey conducted by the Korean University Professors Association on the operation status of online video lectures at 17 universities with more than 1,000 Chinese international students, the proportion of online lectures compared to total lectures last year was mostly less than 1%. The average proportion of online lectures at all 213 universities last year was only 0.92%.

Except for some universities, there is not even a proper online lecture system in place. Some universities have hurriedly announced plans to create their own lecture systems following the decision to conduct online lectures, but it is uncertain whether large-scale access can be operated stably without prior experience.

Some universities without their own infrastructure or those finding it difficult to build systems have announced plans to use streaming sites such as AfreecaTV and YouTube or real-time live broadcasts via Facebook and Instagram.

However, if professors or instructors without online lecture experience conduct classes individually without help from filming equipment or experts, the quality of video and audio cannot be guaranteed. This is why there are concerns that the quality of classes will deteriorate.

[Source - Asia Economy DB]

There is significant dissatisfaction among university students. Student A said, "After the announcement of online lectures, some professors conduct real-time video calls while others play recorded lectures, causing confusion due to different methods by each professor," adding, "Given the situation, I understand conducting lectures online, but both I and my classmates are expressing dissatisfaction."

Another student B said, "There is even a professor who plans to conduct classes via Instagram Live, and it's absurd that I paid 4 million won in tuition to attend classes on Instagram," expressing frustration.

Some universities are replacing online lectures with assignments. Student C said, "They announced that instead of holding lectures, attendance will be checked through assignments. It's an unreasonable situation to do assignments without attending a single class," and added, "I feel like taking a leave of absence immediately."

For classes that cannot be replaced online, universities have chosen to postpone the semester start or conduct theoretical classes first, followed by practical sessions.

A senior nursing student said, "There are more than three days of practical training per week, but the online lecture announcement was made," adding, "Practical training has been temporarily canceled and will be conducted after April or during the vacation depending on the situation."

A student attending a music college also said, "Major required courses except for liberal arts are practical classes, so online lectures are difficult. It was decided to start regular classes around April and finish in July."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.