The Australian Institute of Physics “applauds” academics and teachers, schools and universities for keeping teaching going through the COVID-19 crisis

But it warns on-line cannot be the “new normal.”

“The high quality and high standing of physics education in Australia stems from large face-to-face and hands-on curriculum components, from high levels of student-student and student-teacher interactions, and from invigilated examinations,” the association states.

Not that this is an opposition to change, “physics itself, physics education is continually evolving alongside developments in technology and society and that there are instances where the COVID-19 pandemic can act as a trigger for positive change.”

But, “beyond the individual curriculum components, the social structure of the degree programs with extensive student-student and teacher-student interactions – and the community of learning that these create – are integral to high quality physics programs.”