As the first grading period comes to a halt, the students of Anzar High School enter their second grading period of distance education. Many students and teachers around the country are trying hard to get adjusted to this unfamiliar style of learning. Our teachers are hard at work trying to make the transition to online school as seamless as possible. In the times during Covid-19, where we are unable to be physically in attendance at school, we must learn to adapt to the challenges of online learning and embrace the differences of it.
Distance learning brings some challenges and struggles to students and teachers. Being online means no contact between each other, and no collaboration between students. Not being at school takes all the collaboration of school away from us. There is no way to sit by a fellow classmate, and discuss the conclusion you may have come upon on a problem. Many students miss being able to work alongside one another, and joining forces with a classmate. Which can make online school difficult for them.
Another challenge distance education presents is that some students may be lost and afraid to speak up. This not only poses a challenge to the student, but the teacher as well, because the teacher must trust that the student will tell them if they are feeling lost or struggling; which they may not. Thus some kids may be left behind without the teacher's knowledge.
In addition, the new distractions of the students' surroundings may present other challenges. With the distractions that we have at home, it may make it hard for some students to stay focused on the screen. For example, your phone can act as a distraction from your on screen learning, giving all your attention to the phone instead of your schooling. As well as long periods of screen time and classes. Which can cause students to drift off and not have a focused connection to the information being given to them on screen. Subsequently, leaving kids not knowing what to do, or having not retained any information.
Distance learning has various positive impacts on the learning community as well. Being able to work in the comfort of your own home may make it easier for some students to engage in school without the stress of the in-school environment. Especially for the students who may have social anxiety or who prefer to not have to interact with others.
Getting more one-on-one time with the teachers is another perk of online learning. Now that we are on zoom calls you are able to stay after the call ends, or join a meeting specifically to help you with anything you may be struggling with. Unlike in school where you may not be able to stay after school to seek help from a teacher. Teachers have been more understanding about the struggles of distance learning because they too are learning themselves.
With online school you simply must log in, and you are in class. Making it effortless to get into your class on time. This eliminates the problems of having to rush to class each day, or missing out on valuable information.
After all we must be open and understanding when it comes to distance education, because for now it is going to be our new normal.