Written by Sydney Weber
The coronavirus has become a global pandemic in recent months. The government has resorted to shutting down non-essential businesses and services like retail and schools. Schoolwork has been shifted to online work in many schools.
As many students have expressed frustration because of online distance learning, we asked students and teachers in Woodbury, Minnesota at East Ridge and Woodbury High Schools how they are dealing with distance learning and the challenges it creates.
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Students: Is Online Work Something You’re Enjoying or Would You Rather Be Going To School?
I would rather be at school.
“I think academic wise it’s going fine for me. It’s not terrible but I’m definitely a more hands-on learner rather than just reading through something.”
-Isabelle Jordan, East Ridge High School student
“I know me as well as most of my peers just get the homework or quizzes from other people, so most of us are not actually retaining any information.I’d much rather be at school doing actual schoolwork and seeing all my friends.”
–Enrique Arias, East Ridge High School student
“Although I enjoy sleeping in, I would rather be going to school because I really miss my friends and teachers.”
–Amber Sharp, East Ridge High School student
Teachers: How Much More Difficult Has it Been Planning to Teach Online Versus Planning to Teach in the Classroom?
It has been harder because not all students have the resources.
“I do not use a lot of technology in the classroom because children now have so much screen time at home, I try to limit it at school with the exception of a few smart board movement songs and games. Several of my preschoolers are lacking the resources they need for learning at home. We have kids who are receiving special education services, low income, non-English speaking, living in foster care, parents incarcerated, etc and being at home is not always an ideal place to learn.”
–Amy Jordan, preschool teacher
It has been harder trying to adjust to students’ needs and changing curriculum.
“I’ve also really been trying to find the right balance of keeping the class rigorous but also making it manageable for students as they might have jobs or family duties at home that they might have to balance. I don’t wanna just throw a bunch of busy work online.”
-Mrs. Carlson, East Ridge High School English teacher
“We have completely changed our third-trimester curriculum to fit the needs of all of our students. We comb through every document and attempt to approach it from a student's perspective so we make sure all of our instructions and examples are clear. It is much easier to explain something in person than it is through email.”
-Ms. Hamernick, East Ridge High School English teacher
Teachers and Students: How do you believe this period of quarantine has affected your day to day state of mind?
Quarantine has negatively affected my life and day to day state of mind.
“I’m getting tired and fat.”
-Adele Salava, Woodbury High School student
“We have tried to have a schedule in our house because we have two elementary age children at home and it has been hard to balance homeschooling them.”
-Mrs. Carlson, East Ridge High School English teacher
“If I am being completely honest this format is not the best for me personally. I have a hard time sitting for long periods of time and staring at a screen. The BEST part of my job is spending the day with my students, so with that element missing from my days I find myself pretty sad sometimes. I know that there are many students who would love to get back to school and I would like them to know that we feel that way too. ”
-Ms. Hamernick, East Ridge High School English teacher
“Quarantine has messed up my motivation and work ethic. It doesn’t feel like we have class so I don't feel the need to do work.”
-Sam Padmanabhan, East Ridge High School student
“I’m kinda starting to go crazy from being stuck at home with my family so much.”
-Amber Sharp, East Ridge High School student
Quarantine has helped my life and state of mind.
“My state of mind has actually been better, I think especially because I started working out and taking time for myself.”
-Maggie Mclaughlin, Woodbury High School student
“At first it felt very lonely and boring, but as the quarantine kept getting extended I personally realized that this was going to be our reality for a good minute so might as well embrace it rather than dread it.”
-Enrique Arias, East Ridge High School student
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Overall, most students and teachers are expressing frustration with quarantine and distance learning because of the challenges it poses. Many are tired of working online and staying at home, although there are a few that have embraced quarantine and are looking at the positives.
