Welcome, one and all, to the 2020-2021 school year. Directly following the announcement that AFHS would be entirely virtual for the first quarter of the new semester, concerns and challenges surfaced as an entirely new set of rules went into play. The first few weeks of school have been filled with unheard of changes to the educational system and the implementation of extremely unique learning techniques. The changes to an average school day for teachers and students have caught nearly everyone off guard, leading to technical difficulties in classrooms and uncertainties regarding how and when to turn in assignments. Still, the problems that arise with learning via computer can also be matched with numerous benefits. Now the question remains: How different will online learning be?
The term "a new normal" has been tossed around since the beginning of the pandemic, and, in the case of schools, "a new normal" may be more true than most students realize. One main difference between online and in person learning has to do with the daily school schedule. Instead of heading from class to class each day with only a lunch break in the afternoon, the asynchronous instruction time which lasts about 40 minutes after the live portion of class, gives students time to work on their homework, ask their teachers questions, decompress with some down-time, or chat with their friends. These brain-breaks can be very helpful for students who prefer having time after class to study or relax without having to go to another class immediately. Besides, with online learning, many students can work at their own pace. "I like how we have scheduled Google Meet times because it keeps me on a little bit of a schedule but I like being in person better because it's easier to quickly ask questions and communicate with other people" says Abby Cowell, a junior at AFHS.
Study groups represent another reason why face-to-face school differs from online. Now that schools, libraries, and almost all locations where students can hang out and study for school have been either closed down or pelted with restrictions, it inevitably becomes more difficult to find somewhere to form a study group with friends. However, thanks to the convenience of the internet, now study groups can be created anywhere. By using platforms such as Zoom, GoToMeeting, and ol' reliable Skype, students can share their screens, discuss projects, play Kahoots, or just talk and catch up. It may not be the same as hanging out in person, but it can still allow students to absorb and retain the material better while also chatting with friends.
Remember the good old days when teens had to wake up at 5:00-6:00 in the morning to get ready for school, have a quick breakfast, and then dash out the door to catch the school bus? It seems like so long ago, considering that today's students can wake up later, go to school in pajamas, and eat breakfast during class. This shows another important deviation from the norm. When asked to describe online learning, Nicholas Willets, an AFHS junior, states that "it has its perk(s) like the fact that I get more sleep." Since sleep deprivation has been such a problem for teenagers, proven by the most recent National Sleep Foundation study that showed how "more than 87 percent of high school students in the United States get far less than the recommended eight to 10 hours, and the amount of time they sleep is decreasing," online learning may give students more time to catch up on the years of sleep that they usually miss. After all, getting more sleep has been proven to have innumerable benefits, including improved physical and mental health.
A survey asking students at AFHS about how virtual learning has been going so far has led to a variety of responses, with the consensus being that students mainly prefer in person learning, though online has not been substandard so far. Bree Lavender, a sophomore at AFHS, says, "it's very different from what we usually do, and it's a big change. It's something that I can definitely get used to though and I think it'll be a good semester." This likely has a lot to do with the extraordinary amount of time and effort teachers and staff have been putting into classes in order to make this transition even smoother. Ella Kate Clodfelter, an Apex Friendship sophomore, feels that "the teachers are all doing a good job!" By moving classes online, sorting out tech difficulties in classrooms, being approachable and willing to help the students struggling with new procedures, and even getting certified to teach different classes due to the lack of available teachers, the staff at AFHS has been going above and beyond to make this year as accommodating and easy to navigate as possible.
After being asked in a survey how they feel about online learning, a majority of students have said that their teachers make it so that learning virtually can be far more manageable. "I think it's gone pretty well so far, all the teachers are doing a really great job at making sure everyone understands things and that everyone has the tools they need to learn the new material. They have all been really kind and understanding and overall I think AFHS has done a great job with virtual learning," AFHS sophomore Gabrielle Spehar commented. Although the changes that have enveloped this school year may seem like too much to handle, and uncertainties still cloud the future, having hope can be very important to retaining a positive mindset. This year, it would be a good idea for students to hope for the best while preparing for the worst and try to make the best out of a chaotic situation. By doing so, AFHS truly can make today, and every day, a great day.
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