Kirksville students are overwhelmed by the sudden change from in person school to online school. They are having trouble adjusting to a new routine of everyday class and being online.
Senior Trenten Maize said he was in a good routine with the A/B schedule only to have it disrupted by going to school online and everyday.
Students are trying to complete the work before their next class, but run out of time without completing the assignment. So their homework is piling up on them.
Technical issues are also a struggle for students. Spotty internet connections leave some unable to hear or be heard by their teachers. Some are having trouble getting their microphones working. Most lack the technical skills needed to get them up and running.
Students are also dealing with teachers who are trying to adjust to online teaching as well. Teachers are doing their best to work with students, but sometimes are unaware of the issues students are facing.
Social Studies teacher Shawn Meintz tells of some of his issues with online school. “Once when trying to share my screen to show a packet, it was showing a different screen. Students did not speak up for 10 minutes. They might not have known I was not showing what I wanted to. They are trying to balance what seems like a mistake and respecting their teacher. The other problem I encountered was my headphones were incorrectly connected and I could not hear my students. They were trying to get my attention to fix a problem, but I was sharing my screen and could not see them waving or any of the comments in the chat. I need to leave the chat bar visible even when I am sharing my screen.”
Students need to let teachers know immediately when a screen freezes or they cannot see what is being shown online. It is okay to interrupt them when the problem is hurting your education.
Teachers need to be patient with students who are doing their best to learn but find themselves struggling with some of these outside issues.
-KHS Journalism Staff