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Objective: In this study, the authors aim to compare perceptions of remote learning versus in-person learning among faculty and trainees at a single institution during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate the impact that a brief faculty training on best practices in online teaching would have on faculty attitudes towards remote learning. Methods: The authors conducted an attitude survey on remote learning among trainees and faculty members approximately 3 months after the transition from in-person to remote learning. The authors then conducted a faculty training on best practices in online teaching followed by an evaluation survey. Study findings were examined descriptively and by Fisher’s exact testing. Results: The response rates for the attitudes survey were 68% among trainees and 61% among faculty. Trainees and faculty perceived in-person learning more favorably than remote learning across a variety of domains, including overall enjoyment, interpersonal connection, ability to communicate, and concentration. Despite these trends, only 10% of trainees and 14% of faculty felt that all lectures would be most effectively delivered in-person when this becomes possible again. The response rate for the faculty training evaluation survey was 16%. Compared to non-attendees, faculty attendees reported more confidence in their ability to teach remotely (89% vs 56%, p=0.02) but not increased optimism (89% vs 63%, p=0.06). Conclusions: The study findings suggest that both trainees and faculty perceive remote learning negatively compared to in-person learning but still feel that some lectures should be delivered remotely even after a return to in-person learning is possible.

The authors suggest that the U.S. Congress can help the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) by giving the agency more resources, rather than castigating it. They cite several issues against the DCAA, such as the failure of the agency to provide enough resources to audits of contractors who received clean bills of health. They assert that the agency continues to be a tough auditor that performs quality oversight on the most aberrant of defense contractors. They emphasize the intensified audit work of the DCAA with contractors and contracting officers.

The author emphasizes the need for the U.S. federal government contracting community to acknowledge the truth to the image shown in the media which reveals contracting as wasteful and unaccountable practice. He stresses the need for reform in the government contracting system. He attributes the distressing condition of such system to the changes in policy that have hindered contracting officers from performing cost and price analysis and effective contract negotiations.

Matt Jennings and James Scozzie are president and senior vice-president, respectively, of BioEnterprise Corp. If BioEnterprise attracts just a few more bioscience companies to Northeast Ohio, the economic impact would far exceed that of James. Bioscience businesses end up employing thousands of people and improving the economic fortunes of tens of thousands of area families. For example, founded in 1995 through BioEnterprise's incubator, Athersys Inc. got international attention when it created the world's first artificial chromosome in 1997. Bioscience earnings are estimated to reach $750 billion a year in the next several years.