Navigating Remote Learning

Story by: Ely Robertson

Fall 2020 has seen a unique start to school. COVID-19 has forced many students and parents to evaluate how they want to return to school. With cases up and down in northeast Kansas, Eudora High School decided to allow students the option to choose in person learning or remote. In addition, Eudora has allowed remote learning students to switch to being in person at any point in the first quarter of the semester.

Remote students are expected to check in to their classes via Zoom and whatever other online component is involved in the class. Remote students practice checking their email and Google Classroom more often than an in person student would. Woodworking teacher Mr. Andrews expresses concerns about remote learning.

“In my opinion online school seems much harder because you can’t get in contact with teachers as easily and way too many distractions,” said Andrews.

Students at home aren’t physically present in the class making it harder for students to stay on task. A teacher most likely can’t tell if a student is on their phone or has a Netflix show on in the background over Zoom. 

Another disadvantage of remote learning is communication from instructors and other students they may be working with is delayed over email. Materials for school work in hands-on classes like graphic design, photography, or art may make the experience of the class more difficult for remote learners.

‘’It is a bit more difficult for me to learn but I’m getting the hang of it,” said Freshman Grady Balthazor.

For students who may struggle socially or academically if not in a structured classroom environment, in person learning is preferred. 

“Graphic Design Fundamentals has a lot of students who would not be able to communicate effectively or express challenges they come up with as they work on their projects if they were only remote students,” said Mr. Lavin.  

Remote students are now set to be fully remote for at least the rest of the first semester. For some students like Junior Jessica Moncrief, the opportunity for COVID-19 to subside and schools to operate normally can’t come soon enough.“When school is back to normal I would like to go back to school in person,” said Moncrief.

Photo by: Skylar Hartley