In-person classes continue — with safeguards

With the COVID-19 global pandemic now in its second year, the nature of classroom experiences at UW–Madison continues to evolve.

In the spring semester, most classes were virtual in deference to the COVID-19 pandemic. But some classes with under 50 students continued in person, including many labs requiring hands-on learning. Some classes had a hybrid model with both virtual and in-person students.

However, all those attending in-person were required to wear face masks and physically distance. In addition, access to all campus buildings required faculty, staff and students to display a green badge on their Safer Badgers app, signifying they are in compliance with required campus COVID-19 testing.

University Communications photographers Jeff Miller and Bryce Richter visited several classrooms and labs over the course of the semester to document this evolving world of in-person, hybrid and virtual instruction at UW–Madison.

Photos and text by Jeff Miller and Bryce Richter

At center holding a sanitized microphone, student Thomas Lavery shares a thought during Anthropology 490: Climate, Environment and Landscape, taught by Professor Sissel Schroeder (pictured standing at upper left) in Grainger Hall on March 3. Approximately two-thirds of the students in this hybrid class attend in-person while one-third participate remotely. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Participating virtually, student Jade Schmit discusses a group project with classmates in Anthropology 490. Photo by: Jeff Miller

At right, Amanda Buchberger, an assistant faculty associate, checks in with undergraduate students conducting experiments in Chemistry 329: Fundamentals of Analytical Science, taught in the Medical Sciences Center on March 1. The class is one of the largest in-person labs being taught during the Spring 2021 semester. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Taking turns, student Abi Schmeiser, at left, leans in for a physically distanced look as lab partner Donald Richards conducts an experiment in Chemistry 329. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Professor Harry Brighouse holds a laptop displaying two virtual participants as students hold a discussion for Philosophy 304: Topics in Philosophy at the Discovery Building on March 16. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Seats in lecture halls are arranged to maintain distance between students. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Professor Scott Sanders, standing, discusses a lab project with students Anthony Krotiak (back to camera) and Ben Krimpelbein during Mechanical Engineering 368: Engineering Measurements and Instrumentation, an in-person class and lab taught at the Mechanical Engineering Building on March 8. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Right of center, Jim Claus, professor of animal and dairy science, describes specific muscles of a pig specimen to students Emily Tomesek, far left, Tehya Crego, left of center, and Elaude Koenig, far right, as the group participates in Animal Sciences 305: Introduction to Meat Science and Technology, an in-person class and lab held in the Meat Sciences Building on March 11. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Students conduct experiments in Microbiology 304: Biology of Microorganisms, an in-person class and lab session taught by Jon Roll, faculty associate in the Department of Bacteriology, at the Microbial Sciences Building on April 22. Photo by: Bryce Richter

At right, Roll talks with undergraduate Katelyn Major as Major conducts an experiment in Microbiology 304. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Students perform within their designated 10-feet by 12-feet rehearsal sections during Dance 112: Contemporary Dance Technique and Theory II. The in-person class is taught by faculty associate Karen McShane-Hellenbrand, seated at right, in Lathrop Hall on April 23. Photo by: Bryce Richter