Learning through Covid, 12 Carver community members share their experiences

Remote learning has helped most definitely because I'm used to just doing my homework in the actual home. It's helped my learning in terms of space and time. My advice to others is that it gets better. This is for the freshmen, because I know a lot of them are upset that their first year of high school is online, but it does get better. 

Sometimes I wish my first year of high school was actually online because it's a lot easier since most of what we do online is what we do in school, like most of my classes freshman year were completely online. I know you guys want to see your friends, believe me, so do I. But, my friends and I make this [virtual] lunch table. Even if we don't have the same lunches we make this lunch table. And we all just sit and talk.

I ran into a few challenges. One was trying to get used to learning on a computer, and I've overcome that by trying to be more connected with the teacher.

I'm more of a hands on person in a visual manner. So I enjoy being in a classroom with other students and teachers.

One thing I would like to say regarding around education is that although I'm not enjoying online experience there still is a lot of people out there who it's a lot more easier for them, because for some people it's difficult trying to leave the house every morning.

This year is pretty good. But it could be better. But at the same time, it’s not bad. My stress level is normal. I’m not stressed out. 

As far as virtual college tours, I don’t really mind. It is what it is. But since it’s virtual they won’t meet the best me, the real me. I am confident though. And I do think I’ll get a passing score on the SATs because I’m going to study a lot. 

Online learning is challenging because it is not in person. I mean, I guess the teachers are trying their hardest and it's not their fault. We just have to get used to this way of living. The most annoying part of online learning is switching from one zoom call to another. 

Carver is already a challenging school on its own, and virtual doesn’t help make it any easier. With school being online I don’t get a good impression on how Carver really is. I don’t get to experience the school spirit.

I have two children. My family is in the background all the time. In between lessons I am managing snacks and activities and cleaning up. There is just that constant call of what I have to do here versus what I have to do for work. Who’s going to have my attention? Is it going to be my students who I care about and love? Is it going to be my children who I absolutely adore and love? Is it going to be parents, is it going to be grading? It’s literally triage everyday. 

The shift to virtual learning has been difficult because everything now happens online. So feedback I would probably give in class, in person, now has to happen by email. All of these things take more time.The longer lunch period is a nice break in terms of being able to pull stuff together for the next class. I don’t sit down for 50 minutes and do nothing in the course of the day. It’s not me having lunch- it’s time for me to make lunch for other people. There is no getting up and walking away from my computer.

My old middle school and Carver are very different. Although I went to a good school, it wasn’t a school like Carver. My middle school is basically four classes and we got prep. I expected high school to be like every high school movie ever made—hanging out in the hallway with our notebooks next to our lockers. 

I got eight out of ten on my first assignment—I got a lesson—and I thought she'd maybe give me a nine out of ten. When I asked her to change my grade she said “I don't give you anything.” So, you know, you just have a lot of responsibility. It's a whole different thing, I suppose.

The online setting is probably good for people who were shy, embarrassed or nervous about the first day so online made it easier. But for me I would prefer the classroom because assignments would be easier to turn in and that’s what I’m used to. But honestly, I feel like if COVID didn’t happen, school would have been easier, because I could do so much more. For instance, I have to type all day and I’m not the strongest at typing. However, It’s easier to make friends over Zoom, especially for shy people. All you have to do is type “Hello” in the chat box and someone responds. They might not have talked to you at all if you were in class.

My year is going well, I enjoy online school except for the social aspect because i don’t see my friends much anymore.It’s of course harder than last year because i am now in high school, and it’s online so it’s way different than just going to school every morning.