Pandemic learning

By: Maridel De Los Reyes

For many, the pandemic has brought up a plethora of questions with no straight-forward answers: When will everything go back to normal? When will I be able to eat out again? When will I finally be able to leave my house without a mask? These are all great questions but one of the biggest ones plaguing students is “When will school return to in-person learning?”.

Most schools in the US shut down in March, roughly two-thirds into the school year; however not all schools had mandatory distance learning for the last third of the year. According to “The Lost Year” by The New York Times, districts from minority populated areas were less likely to mandate distance learning than other school districts. In districts where distance learning was available but not mandatory, the absentee rate was high. A high absentee rate typically means a lowered reading ability for younger students, and a lowered math ability in older students. Those in special education have it even worse, as absenteeism generally affects their performance across the board.

The effects of distance learning on academic performance can also be attributed to the increase of stress many students are experiencing today. The lower academic prowess leads to difficulty catching up in the new school year, lower grades, and more stress.

While there have been some positives to distance learning, like ease of communication with teachers, other, possibly detrimental things like cheating have become easier as well. Independence High School student, Alena Angulo says that the distance learning has boosted her grades, but she is now more focused on the ends rather than the means: “They’re better now just because I search things up now because I have the ability to cheat. I’m more focused on grades than actually learning”.

Many students have felt the crunch of distance learning, having to do all of their work from home. The lack of a dedicated and stable work environment can make learning a lot more difficult for some students. Being at home, some students have to fulfill their household responsibilities during class periods. Teachers were able to tell how well the class understood lessons through facial expressions, something that isn’t always possible through a computer monitor. “In person, they can control surroundings, home brother can be loud and parents can disturb me.Teachers can tell if I’m confused just through facial expressions” says Angulo.

Not being able to see friends can also be very difficult.Those with difficult home situations may feel being stuck home without a way to meet up with friends is strenuous. For many, distance learning is school without the parts of school that make it fun. Meeting up with friends in between classes and interacting with them in class can only be so engaging over a zoom call.

Distance learning can be seen as school but without the fun parts, like seeing friends, and in-person events, but it can also seen as a more flexible approach to learning. Distance learning allows students to attend school no matter where they are in the world, as long as they have internet access. Not having to commute means less time is wasted and while many are struggling with distance learning now, it could help with time management in the long run. So while not everyone enjoys distance learning, we can all try our best to make sure it ends as soon as possible by social distancing and doing our part.