Online Learning: What’s the Verdict?
Gavriela Kalish-Schur (9-4) & Yasmine Motya (9-1)
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
When asked about virtual learning and if Masterman students were spending too much time on the screen, Ms. Marranzini was not optimistic.“I think it’s disgraceful, I think it is unconscionable,” she reflected. “Seven periods a day is not realistic and students’ bodies and the teachers’ bodies are collapsing. I see my students’ eyes all glazed over, when I talk to my colleagues they’re crying. If we care about students the way we say we care about students then we need to change the schedule.” Ms. Maranzini’s sentiment is shared by a large number of students.
Many teachers and students have reported that online learning leaves them feeling completely drained. Then, after seven hours of staring at a screen with more time for clubs and sports, students have to sit and do homework, most of which is online. At the end of the day, students have spent anywhere between 7-12 hours staring at a computer screen. Health experts recommend that screen time for adolescents should be at maximum two hours a day. The general sentiment among students is that this excessive amount of screen time is unhealthy, as well as unproductive. Concentrating is hard enough in online school when one is rested, but towards the 6th and 7th period after hours on the screen, students struggle to tune out distractions and listen to their class.
A virtual school day also lacks structure, which many students say is comforting. Moving from classroom to classroom, from floor to floor, allows students to both get some exercise and clear their head in preparation for the next class. Virtual learning does not allow students to do that between classes.
However, there are certainly some advantages to online school. “I guess that I would say that logically speaking, there are a lot of parts of online school that should be making me feel good (more sleep, being able to make my own schedule)” says senior David Dunlop (12-2). Another advantage, according to senior Lucy Duckworth (12-1), “I have more time to work on college applications and I'm feeling a lot less stressed this year than I usually do.” Students also have more time for extracurriculars such as clubs and sports. Also, many students find it easier to have nearly all of their supplies on a single computer. “I am very particular about how my notes are organized” says senior Evyn Appel (12-1). At Masterman, students very rarely bring their own computers around during in-person school. Each teacher often has very specific requests for how they would like their students to take notes. In virtual learning there are less restrictions and some notes can even be taken online. Many students have struggled with technical difficulties “Going into this I thought I was somewhat of a tech whiz, it turns out i’m not” says senior Evyn Appel (12-1). But, online school actually provides students with an opportunity to become more technologically sophisticated. Also, doing assignments online and submitting them through Google Classroom is a familiar idea for students. Teachers have been using these platforms for years. The only difference now is that every teacher is using them and for every assignment. Students have also noticed that teachers are utilizing existing online resources as a central tool rather than just something extra for students to look into. This can help expand students’ understanding of a topic outside of a daily Zoom class.
One of the hardest parts of virtual learning is the lack of social experiences. Socializing is an important part of the school day. Whether in the cafeteria or in the hallways, chatting with friends is a key part of what makes school enjoyable. Socializing is not just fun, it is also very beneficial for mental health and crucial for development of social skills. During high school, students develop social and communication skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. Virtual learning prevents students from honing these important skills.
Despite the issues that have arisen from virtual learning, many students do not believe that returning to school is feasible. The school district currently has plans to transition into a hybrid model in February but there is no guarantee that this will actually happen or that everyone will be allowed to return. Still, returning to school raises a number of questions and concerns. What steps is the school taking to ensure the safety of students and teachers? How will hallway traffic be avoided? What happens in the event of an outbreak? Masterman is not known for its ventilation system (the windows in most classrooms do not even open entirely). These issues have led students to admit that while virtual learning is a struggle, they would rather continue with that then risk family members, neighbors and friends getting sick. When asked about his thoughts on returning to school, David Dunlop (12-2) responded, “If we were to go back to school we’d be exposed to Covid and many of us have people at home who if they were exposed to Covid would die.” This seems to be one of the main reasons that has students skeptical of an in-person return, as well as the question of would a hybrid model even improve students’ education? Teachers would likely have to teach to a classroom of students while also livestreaming the class to the rest of the students sitting at home on a Zoom link. Many students believe that this will be nearly impossible and will create more stress than purely online school.
As the Masterman community has seen again and again in the last few months, the coronavirus leaves us with no perfect options. If the school goes back to in-person learning, it is risking the health and safety of students, teachers, families and the Philadelphia community at large. David Dunlop (12-2) stated, "I don't want to go back without a vaccine”. Ultimately, as stated by Anna O’Neill-Dietel (12-3), virtual school is “the lesser of two evils”. And whatever the school and the district decide to do, it is important to make the best of the current situation. If these last few months have taught us anything it is how we took being in school in-person for granted. And, whenever we go back, both students and teachers will look at everything in a new light.