Online Learning

By Charlotte Farrell - Fri. Dec. 18, 2020

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, students all around the world have started remote learning. This is where students work with and attend classes with teachers though google classroom and video conferencing applications, such as zoom and google meet. However, these experiences have been new and different for students and teachers alike.

     The reasons for why online school is difficult varies, and first, we should look at what some remote kids are thinking about online school. “I think there’s too much zoom. Some days I’m on zoom for 8 hours straight and it’s really tiring,” said 8th grader Maggie Handelman.  It seems that during remote school, zoom is heavily implemented throughout the day, and that can be tiring for many students. 

      In addition, 8th grader Zoe Schotland says that “Zoom can give me headaches especially if they are one after another without breaks for a whole day. They can get really annoying and it’s hard to focus on actually learning.”

       Remote school on most days are long days with zoom after zoom which gets to be exhausting, not to mention that kids need a break from their screens once in a while for better health. “I think there should be a lunch break in between zooms (during remote school) because staring at screens for too long without taking a break is bad for your eyes. Also we’re sad and young and lonely and eating lunch is nice for us,” says 8th grader Nora Spingarn. 

      It seems that some remote kids do not get lunch breaks in between zoom classes, which is problematic because students need protein and nutrients for their brains to be active and productive during the school day. 

     However, there are some contrasting opinions from students. “I like being in a fully remote school because I can work at my own pace and I don’t have to commute to school,” says 8th grader Ivy Bloomfield.

        It appears that in remote school, you have more control over your classes since you are not actually there in the classroom. Though people can do this in remote school, it can be difficult for most students, especially ongoing zooms with little breaks. People who were already staring at their phones 24/7 might be more affected by this because they’re also staring at their computer screens for long periods of time. 

     Although in blended school people are actually in school, the change in using screens is very minimal. This might be because it is harder to find socially distant ways to work in the classroom together and stay organized from online school to in-person school, so many teachers have had students bring in technology and have been using them during classes. Meanwhile, some teachers are trying to find ways to get us off our screens during class so that we can learn in a more ‘normal’ way.

      “The most important thing to me is learning from each other, talking with each other, listening to each other, sharing your own stories and experiences. I am trying to bring more discussion, independent reading, read alouds, and games into our ELA curriculum,” says Ms. Canning, currently an 8th grade ELA teacher. 

     This, however, is the blended side of school, remote learning is happening for many students and teachers that are fully remote. Views from an online teacher include that “It is so hard to gauge how a class is doing, whether they truly understand or appreciate what I am teaching them, when I look at blank screens and don't hear their voices. I hope students start to use their voices more during class, even if they aren't comfortable putting their cameras on. However, I take comfort in the small wins, like when a student asks to speak with me one on one, or when a few students turn on their cameras, it makes me feel like I can connect with students again. For the students who feel overwhelmed by all the Zoom meetings, I completely understand. I urge students to advocate for themselves this year because teachers do not know if they are struggling unless they tell us! If you are having a rough time, please tell your teacher.” says 8th grade Social Studies teacher Ms. Quinn. 

     The number one thing that many students would like to change about remote school would be less zoom meetings as it is one of the strongest conflicts happening during remote learning. Remote learning has been a change for everyone, starting from the middle of 2020 and soon moving into 2021. It is also difficult and new still for students and teachers, so it is hard to think of changes to make learning easier for everyone. Teachers, students, and staff members should all try their best to make remote learning as comfortable as possible.