Last week, more than 30 students and staff staged a sit-in at the University of Adelaide, protesting the decision to phase out most face-to-face lectures, a motion that is said to be happening as part of their merger with the University of South Australia to create the new ‘Adelaide University’.
Although the University insists it isn’t ‘removing’ in-person lectures entirely and will offer both on-campus and online modes depending on the area of study, students worry that the shift signals a broader move towards prioritising online learning over face-to-face.
Why are lectures being removed?
There are a few reasons why some universities are moving away from traditional lectures.
- Flexibility and student preferences – Universities argue that students are increasingly requiring more flexible learning options that fit around their jobs, caregiver responsibilities and other commitments. Digital content that can be accessed on demand – such as videos, online modules or podcasts – enables students to self-pace their learning and fit it into their busy schedules.
- Student interactivity – the delivery of traditional lectures very often does not support student engagement. It’s not unusual to have hundreds of students crammed into a lecture theatre, making robust discussion not only difficult but also likely very disruptive to both peers and the lecturer.
- Post-COVID – the major shift comes from an acceleration in online learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is replacing in-person lectures?
Traditional lectures will likely be replaced by ‘rich asynchronous digital activities’ designed to deliver the equivalent learning volume via self-directed modules, readings, videos and podcasts. Teaching will still prioritise on-campus learning but with a focus on more small-group interactive sessions such as tutorials, workshops and labs. These smaller, more focused sessions are intended to help deepen student engagement and strengthen peer-to-peer relationships, rather than focus purely on content delivery.
Why are people upset?
There is a broad assumption that these changes will mean an end to ‘campus life’ for university-goers. The major worry is that the non-academic portions of the university experience – such as social connection, spontaneous discussion and school spirit – are not being considered. There is also the worry that the academic quality of university education will drop – lectures may be reused year after year, students who find self-directed learning tricky will struggle, and there may be less opportunity to seek and provide feedback to their lecturers if they’re viewing them purely through a screen.
How will this impact my studies?
For students, the impact of these changes will depend a lot on how you learn best. On the one hand, having lectures available online means you’ll have more flexibility to study when it suits you, which can be a huge help if you’re balancing work, family or other commitments. But with that flexibility comes more responsibility – it’s up to you to carve out the time and motivation to actually sit down and watch the material. Without the structure of turning up to a lecture theatre each week, some students might find it harder to stay on track or feel connected to their studies.
The shift also changes what campus life looks like. You’ll likely spend more of your in-person time in tutorials, workshops or labs, where the focus is on discussion and hands-on learning. That can be a positive if you enjoy smaller, interactive settings, but it also means the ‘big picture’ content will increasingly be something you work through on your own. For certain disciplines – like medicine, engineering or other areas of study with complex content – some worry that losing live lectures could make it harder to absorb and understand the subject matter fully.
Can I protest as an international student?
Yes, you absolutely can! Attending a rally or protest can be a great opportunity to get involved in something you believe in and advocate for change with your peers. Make sure you keep up to date with local laws and safety measures for protests, and keep yourself and others safe.
