While virtual course has benefitted the participants, assuming the technology is barely a limiting obstacle, on the efficiency side—no tangential facilities needed, no commuting required—it also has sacrificed numerous overlook aspects I believe are essential as a whole in formative years of university students.
But the advantages of remote classes should not be downplayed. It opens a path for students with certain disabilities (walking or other mobile difficulties to name a few) for a chance to participate in academia. Eliminating the physical barrier caused education becoming more accessible. The same also applies for children with socioeconomic constraints, e.g., having to work part-time or helping family business. Online courses being able to be done practically everywhere gives them a freedom in managing their schedule, generating a curb-cut effect where an accessibility feature will be helpful for everyone, not just people with disabilities.
But on the other side, attending a class directly in the classroom could more than likely help foster a sense of community and brew networking opportunities for the classmates. Known colloquially as water cooler talk, the small talk occurred from students meeting face-to-face around class time could lead to a deeper friendship between each other. The organic interaction is something a fully online setting could not replace. Every interaction requires an intentionality, such as starting a message thread or making a phone call, and this might hinder expanding communication because interactions are cut short after the intentions are met. While it is true chances for human connection could still happen outside of educational settings, but direct regular interactions between students could assist them in collaborating for class project or career opportunities. This stems from the college colleagues growing familiarity at first, and thus will lower the barrier of starting the communication since speaking to a stranger, let alone asking for their help, is a hard thing to do at first for most young people.