We are All in this Together 

 We are All in this Together 

COVID-19 has affected everything we do pertaining to social interactions from shopping and eating out to even going to school. Since these times are unprecedented, it is of the utmost importance to adapt to these changes and just focus on what we can do. 

To say school is different would be an understatement. Normally during this time, we would be having parties, exchanging gifts, and indulging in fun holiday treats during classes, but instead, we are going to Zoom meetings and completing online material. It’s hard not to be constantly reminded of what we are missing out on. 

Although everyone is different, one thing many people agree upon is that remote learning is not the most favorable way to learn .

Staying on task can be difficult whether students are physically present or not, but online school adds a large number of distractions as students have access to phones, video games, and perhaps even tempting snacks. These children aren’t faced with the same interruptions in the classroom; teachers give their students assignments with little to no breaks. It’s clear to see why students learning virtually have difficulty focusing.

Ayanna Ferringer, a freshman at Cranberry High School, said, “I stay on task when I know I need to get something done, but then other times I get distracted by things around me like my phone.”

Kelsey Hanna, an eighth grader, stated that, “It's harder to stay on task when the assignment has less interaction and the length is longer.”

Another hard part of virtual learning is getting the work completed by the deadline. Though most individual teacher’s work is manageable, when putting all the assignments together, students are left with a big workload.

Makaylah Struthers, another Cranberry High School student, mentioned that, “The work is completely manageable, but the deadlines are usually a bit hard to meet for some assignments.”

One of the most troublesome parts of remote learning is the communication. Though the teachers at Cranberry are doing everything possible without being allowed to run mandatory Zooms or Google Meets, it can be complicated to provide their students with the best education possible. 

If students ever need assistance with an assignment or have an unexpected, pressing matter emerge, then just reach out to the Cranberry staff; they care, and they are here to help. However, the majority of the communication between students and teachers is via email.

Freshman Alexis Dehner explained, “I feel that the most difficult aspect of remote learning is not having immediate feedback. In school, we could ask questions, and they would be immediately answered. Online, we have to wait for an email response.”

Fortunately, the teachers at Cranberry have been doing everything in their power to assist those who are struggling in their classes. In order to do so, teachers often run optional Zooms and Google Meets, assign certain time periods as designated hours for asking questions, or sometimes even hold a one-on-one Zoom meeting if desired and deemed necessary.

Teachers have also made an effort to try to understand the circumstances students are enduring. Extra time is provided occasionally if students didn’t or can’t complete an assignment on time as a result of trouble understanding the material or demanding family matters.

Despite all of the difficulties virtual learning presents, it is not all bad; there are some positives. One of the best parts of remote learning is the freedom and flexibility. It is possible to do work according to a student’s own pace and schedule. 

Trevor Olson, a junior at Cranberry, said,  “I can work really hard for a few hours and then have the rest of the time to do what I want to do. It is actually easier, in my opinion, to concentrate, since it is for one to two hours and not six.”

Even though we are in unprecedented, strenuous times, students, teachers, and family members alike should know that we are all in this together.