BBC and others have headlines saying that Cambridge University lectures will all be online next academic year. But read the detail. Cambridge is planning to have small group teaching and seminars in physically distanced lecture rooms instead https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/19258 

So the uni is still planning to be open to students coming to Cambridge as long as the government allows it. It's only lectures, defined as "large group teaching delivered generally in a non-participatory way" that will be online. And, honestly, who will notice the difference?

In fact, I've quite enjoyed doing online lecturing. The tech allows for *more* participation than talking at 80 people in a big hall. e.g. I like that students can talk to each other via text chat while I'm talking out loud. They share links, Q&As, and resources among each other.

Also, at the touch of a button I can quickly put students into random small groups, have them work on something for 5 minutes, and then bring them back to discuss results. In class it takes time to put them physically into groups and some lecture theatres don't have space.

So I'm not saying that we can just put everything online and it'll be fine. Having small group teaching is one part of what makes Cambridge special and I'm glad this should continue. I just don't think mass lecturing particularly loses out by being online.