How our brains absorb new information should determine which learning activities should stay online and which must be taught in person after the worst of the pandemic, says Sanjay Sarma, MIT mechanical engineering professor and vice-president for open learning.

Professor Sarma says that university lectures and any content involving "spaced repetition" should stay online, while exciting student curiosity about new topics, as well as coaching and providing real time feedback to novices' attempting to learn and master new skills should all be done in person. His recommendations are drawn from observing lessons this year.