Author: Seva Mazurika

My definitive answer is YES. And sometimes it can bring even more efficiency than we could imagine.

Due to the nowadays circumstances JAM MUSIC LAB’s format of classes has been changed. As many other universities we have also switched to online mode and blended learning. All the theory classes are now being held in ZOOM, Skype and other online-platforms.

When I first heard we were going to switch to the e-learning my thought was that my theoretical knowledge wouldn’t get better anymore. I expected it to be very boring. Judge for yourself – earlier, if you were not feeling like studying a lot you would anyway go to the class and at least meet your friends there. And the presence of the prof in the classroom was a guarantee for some information to get into your head.

Now compare it to the online classes: me and profs and friends are all in different places. No contact, no meetings, it’s even hard to get to know new people. Almost no interaction and pure knowledge only. That’s how I imagined it to be.

However, in practice it all turned out to be different from the image I had. During the first lesson many advantages of online classes became clear to me.

Firstly, for your early morning classes you can wake up just 5 mins before: it depends on how much time you need for your morning routine. To be fair, I didn’t experience any difficulties with morning classes before. The student’s dorm I live in is couple of minutes away from the campus. But now, as I can learn what the “secondary dominant” is while laying on the couch at home, 5 minutes walk to the uni doesn’t sound so attractive anymore.

Secondly, that feeling of calm cozy home atmosphere impacts the learning process in a positive manner. You can always make a cup of tea, grab a package of “Studenten Futter” and enjoy the classes while looking out the window from times to times. Notably you feel the value of online classes in autumn or winter when it’s cold and windy outside.

And finally – the main subject lessons. I guess, the teachers have discovered the advantages of online process as well. Despite the practical lessons are held in a normal “one-on-one” format, my prof is willing to give me more. He sometimes reminds me we still can have an extra session online if I have some difficulties or need his feedback while working on the pieces. Even on the weekend, when the Uni is closed. So, there’s definitely NO lack of attention as I would expect it from the online form of education.

To sum up, of course, I’m looking forward to the situation to normalize again. But at the same time, these changes have brought new possibilities. The only thing that is needed from you is to adapt to the changes and make them work for you.