SEAS Virtual Learning Resources

SEAS faculty and staff are committed to providing the highest quality education for all of our students with two principles in mind:

Uncompromised Quality: SEAS will provide the highest quality education regardless of what the pandemic throws our way.

Resilient Inclusion: SEAS will utilize modes of instruction that are flexible and agile to resiliently support all of our students and faculty in the face of significant uncertainties and dynamics.

Below are various resources for students and instructors to utilize to maximize their virtual learning experience at GW SEAS.

Students

Faculty

 

Student quotes on virtual learning:

“I am a first year PhD student at the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering department at the George Washington University. Counting from my undergrad, I have been taking classes for seven years. This year, for the first time, I experienced online learning at GWU and I must say that it has been a great new experience. Not only the education quality stayed the same, with different options provided for each class (in class discussions, recorded lectures, pre-recorded class material) I was able to study a lecture as many times as I wanted until I understood and learnt the content. 

I took four classes since GWU switched to online semester, and I appreciated seeing that every class is designed differently according to it’s content/learning objectives. For example, one of my classes (Thermodynamics) had recorded lectures that we would watch ahead of the lecture time, and then the class meetings were reserved to discussions about that week’s content. With the pre-recorded lectures I was able to study the topics at my own learning pace, and at my own time-zone (from abroad), and in the discussion sessions I would still feel that classroom atmosphere.” -Bengisu, PhD candidate in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

 

“Online learning allows students to attend classes from any location of their choice. It also allows schools to reach out to a more extensive network of students, instead of being restricted by geographical boundaries. Additionally, online lectures can be recorded, archived, and shared for future reference. This allows students to access the learning material at a time of their comfort.” -Chengzhi, MS in Electrical Engineering

 

"COVID has been really isolating for me. Members of our lab have always had a strong bond, and the on-campus restrictions really put a damper on our daily interactions. Thankfully, weekly check-ins and boardgame sessions with our team have gone a long way to stand in for human interactions. We can vent and see how everyone's doing, both personally and work-wise. I'm also thankful for being a TA for a grad class this semester: helping students with their class work---by phone or zoom---is refreshing and rewarding. -Ademir, PhD candidate in Systems Engineering

 

Being an international student, it was quite unfortunate that we could not experience the cultural and educational opportunities that a campus-based program offers. But GWU made the transition from offline to online classes quite easy and convenient. There were frequent updates about the situation and the steps being taken to ensure an uninterrupted learning experience. All the sources, lectures, and materials for the course were uploaded on the portal which allowed for a relaxed and flexible learning environment. It helped me foster greater time management and responsibility as a whole, and it ultimately allowed me to create a schedule that best fits with my day-to-day activities. -Juhi, MS in Computer Science

 

“The switch to virtual learning has been progressive. As a PhD student focused on research, it was initially challenging to balance the requirements of being physically present in lab, as well as maintain active participation at virtual meetings and conferences. I am now accustomed to the “new normal” and grateful for the flexibility and ease - rewatching conference presentations at my own pace, time and location; regaining time lost due to delays related to transportation, lab équipement - it  is safe to say learning has no physical borders.” -Demi, PhD Candidate in Civil & Environmental Engineering

 

"As a student in the full-time dissertation research phase of my program, my research continues as normal. A year ago, I could not have imagined that I can conduct my research as I did pre-pandemic. Because my research is very hands-on, I go into the lab at least four days a week. In the lab, we have social distancing measures in place so that the labs operate at 25% capacity. We always wear masks and undergo mandatory COVID testing each week. Lab meetings and meetings with collaborators are completely virtual so that I don't always need to head into the lab if I don't have lab work to do. I've changed the way I commute to school from metro to biking, which means I get to see the grand view of the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument almost every day. Overall, I feel safe conducting my research on-campus. -Rose, PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering