Skip to content

Column: Back to online school

Rhea Jones 001
Rhea Jones Dear Mom and Dad

Last year the switch to online school took everybody by surprise. No one expected or was prepared for this major shift in our learning and as a result, the main focus was simply getting through the year.

While teachers did their best to transition, it was so last minute that online school ended up being rather disorganized and significantly easier than what it normally would be.

However, it will be a very different case this year. Right from the reopening of the doors this September we were prepared to have the schools shut down at any point. In fact, a significant amount of students decided to not return at all and instead opted to continue online learning. Therefore, Premier Jason Kenney’s announcement on Nov. 24 stating that Grades 7-12 would no longer be taking place in person held no shock value.

In saying this, teachers and students are much more prepared and organized to make online school a better learning environment that offers all the same resources and information that would be provided in person. Teachers have had a chance to get more comfortable with online technology and students have a better sense of time-management to keep themselves on track.

If things go as planned, schools will welcome students back on Jan. 11. A month of online school doesn’t seem like a big deal, however, some students are uncertain if we actually will be returning. After all last year, schools were only supposed to close for two weeks and ended up staying shut for the rest of the year.

The re-closure of schools is still accompanied with a sense of disappointment among students.

Raina Walker a senior student at Foothills Composite High School states that her “main concern is not about the grades, it’s more the experience that we are missing out on.”

While some programs are easily transferable to an online setting, others, like arts and trades classes can be more difficult. Walker is taking a film class this term and is concerned because “that class is based around collaboration and hands-on experience. We also won’t have access to the same technology at home that they have at school.” While there are evidently a few downfalls to online learning, Raina still maintains an optimistic attitude. “It’s not the end of the world because as of right now it’s only for a month.”

While it certainly won’t be perfect, we can expect it to be an improvement from last year and can hope to return to in-person classes soon enough. Regardless of what happens, we will just have to adapt, after all, if 2020 has taught us anything it’s that adaptability is going to be a necessary tool these next couple of years. As this crazy year comes to a close I hope everyone enjoys their well-deserved break and has a happy holiday.

 

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks