The One With Virtual Learning

With these unprecedented times amongst us, we cannot avoid virtual learning. Social distancing rules have forced all of American students to finish their school years from the comfort of their own home. We resorted to Zoom/Google Meet classes and online assignments and really got away from the social interactions that take place in a traditional classroom. As we go into the summer months, the 2020-2021 school year is a bit unknown. Will teachers and students in the US go back to traditional classrooms? If so, will it be the same? Can we change classes, share technology and other materials, engage in social settings like eating in the cafeteria or having big club meetings after school? Or will we begin the year, back on our couches and on Zoom. 

Luckily distance learning has evolved and is very commonplace today. It does not cost schools and universities much money to distribute the content too large groups of people. There are numerous platforms we can utilize to provide materials, readings, assignments, etc to students no matter where in the world they are. But, are student missing out of some of the most important aspects of school by being online? In K-12 education, some of the most important things are not learned from a book or lecture but from the socialization with others. The one thing the government is telling us to avoid, being around and working with others, is what I believe makes people more knowledgable. 

How will starting the year online effect those younger students? Can one really engage with class material over a computer screen? From my experiences, it is very hard. Students may complain about being in school but ultimately they love being with their friends, working together with others in the classroom, and even building relationships with their teachers. 

How can teachers truly make virtual learning memorable and provide students the same experience they would be having if back in the classrooms? It is not easy and likely not possible to really replicate the experiences we get in the classroom. With everything going on, I am thankful for all the virtual learning resources available to us but I also worry that people will find a level or comfort behind their screen and the education in our country as we know it will be shifting more and more toward virtual settings and away from traditional classrooms.