The Obstacles of Online Learning

By Jordan Johnson '22

(image courtesy of eschoolnews.com)

Covid-19 has forced us to convert to a virtual learning environment through Zoom. Some are able to announce that they enjoy virtual school, while others completely disagree.

Online learning has its pros and cons. Teachers like that paper usage has been lessened, which is better for the environment, and that school starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 2:15. However, the majority would still prefer to attend school physically so that they can make personal connections with their students.

Ms. Sabio is a good example of a teacher who believes that there are benefits to this adjustment. She says that she likes virtual learning because she doesn’t have to worry about taking her daughter to school everyday, and she doesn’t have to stress about the fact that she could possibly be late. One thing that adds onto Ms. Sabio’s stress is that technology can be very unreliable.

She said, “If I have an activity prepared and it doesn’t work due to unreliable technology, it would be very frustrating because it would be difficult to create a new plan. If we were attending school, I could move onto something else and come back to the activity once I have everything situated.”

Students can all thoroughly agree that they miss the social aspects that school provided. Before the coronavirus, everyone was socializing with each other, sports teams were able to play, and the school events were in progress. Unfortunately all those things will not be happening this semester which is very upsetting for students to hear. For new students, it is even more difficult to adapt. Making friendships through a screen is not easy.

Gabriella Chan is a new student at SOCES who can confirm that online school is a struggle. She’s currently a freshman and would like to get to know people better, but online learning makes it harder to do so. She also finds that it’s difficult to discover what the school’s community is like.

Online learning can definitely be a challenge, but all it takes is motivation. Stay on top of your assignments, be organized, ask questions during class, and get lots of rest! Everyone is doing great!