How MCHS students are dealing with virtual learning
MCHS students primarily use Zoom and Canvas to attend class.
Fingers hitting keys on the computer, pen caps clicking to lock in place, chairs creaking due to movement, family members’ muffled voices talking through the door, and the distinct sound of the Zoom chime. These might be some of the sounds that Middle College students hear at home while attending class. The new fall semester has gone completely online, and students have to learn virtually through computers instead of face to face.
As we are approaching the mid-semester craze, students have had the time to adjust to online virtual learning environments at home. They have been able to get in the pattern of waking up for classes, attending classes, and completing homework assignments afterwards. For some students, this virtual online environment has worked well for them, while others not so well.
Junior Andy Guillen said that he has been able to adjust pretty well to online classes, but that it isn’t the same.
“I can completely handle the work we’ve been assigned, the thing is for like my weaker subject, like math, I’m finishing the homework but I don’t feel like I’m learning,” he said.
Guillen is not the only one who has to overcome some barriers through virtual learning. In an MCHS survey on how students are dealing with online, many students have mentioned what kinds of obstacles they overcome while attending class at home.
One student said, “I find it extremely hard to concentrate. There is a lot going on in my house and after watching class for so long I get tired and zone out. It is so draining.”
While students might struggle, others feel like it is a blessing in disguise.
“As an extreme introvert, I enjoy it. I never liked the company of my classmates, they always made me go insane…but I feel like it wasn’t really their fault,” they said.
The MCHS survey included a question in which students were asked if they had the option of choosing between staying online or going back to school, a majority of the students would prefer to go back, including sophomore Kimberly Lopez.
Lopez stated, “I would choose to go back to school because I actually miss having my friends around and having the teachers around to help.”
A lot of the students mentioned that they would like to go back for the in-person interaction of other students and teachers. There is a distinct difference between being at home and being at school that students do not have anymore. It is a struggle that many students deal with.
Sophomore Cecy Rivera stated, “I think that it’s easier to procrastinate, just lay in your bed and not do anything because you know like ‘it’s right here, I’ll do it eventually.’”
She is also one of those students who struggles with it.
You have to find a balance between having your breaks and getting to work.” — Cecy Rivera
Through these unprecedented times, students have had to work twice as hard to continue on with the school year. As students will continue to work, there is hope that things will get better.
My favorite animal is a llama, I love rings and I wear 10 of them on my hands every day, and I’m 5’0”.
Emma Solis • Oct 27, 2020 at 10:48 pm
This article really described how I am dealing with online school, it’s honestly very draining and difficult for me to concentrate when I do my homework. If I had a choice I would want to go back because in-person learning is better for me plus I don’t have to stay in my room all day long. Some days I won’t even feel like doing homework but when I do I just stay focused for a while until my procrastination hits me and I’m back to taking a nap because of drained out I feel.
Arturo Ayala • Oct 22, 2020 at 1:41 pm
Great Article! It really shows how the difference in minds and how they learn. Of course, there are outside forces that affect us, but for the most part, it comes down to how we best learn. Like you said some prefer being at home while others would want to go back to school. Personally, I would want to go back, as long as its safe of course, because I work better when I am in a school environment than when I am in a home environment (if that makes any sense), but I can definitely see the other side of the debate. Overall this was a very good article.
Yancy Vasquez • Oct 22, 2020 at 10:43 am
Good job on this article it’s very good! To begin with, I think this article really shows how students feel about online learning. As one of the students mentioned to them, it was a secret blessing because they are introverted and don’t like being around others but for me, it is the opposite. I am more of an extroverted person and I have been told that multiple times. So this whole online situation is just not for me it makes me really sad how I am at home all day not being able to be with my friends, family, or teachers. I really miss my friends and hope that we can meet up soon but I do understand that due to obvious reasons things have to be the way they are. In addition, I would have also loved to meet my teachers in person. I really do think my teachers this year and last year were so amazing but for me not being able to interact with them makes me feel broken-hearted. Even though things aren’t the way I would like them to be I would like to look on the bright side of things and hope you can all do the same. “Tough times don’t last but tough people do.” <3 Anyways, I hope you are doing well and good job on your article it was amazing! ☺️
Alejandro Prado • Oct 21, 2020 at 3:45 pm
This was a very great article! I was really able to relate to it on many levels. I’m glad that students were able to express their feelings and opinions.
Stephanie • Oct 21, 2020 at 2:57 pm
This was a great article. I am kind of learning in some classes but in others not really. Sometimes it is hard to concentrate and pay attention to class because there are noises. I also miss my friends and would like to see them.
Christopher Gomez • Oct 21, 2020 at 9:12 am
This shows a lot of how the situation is for a lot of different students and how their environment is while they try to do work.
Jonathan Martinez • Oct 20, 2020 at 3:22 pm
Good work on giving many students an update while reflecting on how many students feel about taking classes online. I felt a connection with your article, just like many we all miss the human interact with people at school, the way teachers could walk up to us and explain anything we didn’t understand. Virtual learning has been difficult for many, let’s just hope for the best to come. Also, keep up the good work.
Fatima Del Carmen • Oct 19, 2020 at 4:29 pm
Your article is really amazing and reflects on the feeling of all the students, and not just only our school. I also miss my friends a lot, and I wish that we can go back to school and see each other again and have lots of fun and I also want to see the teachers again! I also tend to procrastinate, but I try to get rid of my distractions and focus on school, but sometimes it can be hard. Anyway, keep up the good work!
Brianna Bustamante • Oct 19, 2020 at 3:18 pm
I really liked your article. I also miss my friends.
Cristina Alvizo • Oct 19, 2020 at 11:16 am
I love how this article actually reflects on how we as students are feeling during virtual learning. Great job!
Elizabeth Correa • Oct 19, 2020 at 8:24 am
This is a well written article! I also miss my friends and online school is easy to pass but difficult to actually grasp knowledge.
Norio Kaneko • Oct 17, 2020 at 12:24 pm
Great Article! A boundary between “work” and “break” has became very ambiguous for me as well. I usually set a weekly schedule/goals at beginning of weeks to allocate how many hours/mins to do all activities(teaching, lesson planning, documentation, exercising, practicing etc)to establish a “balance’ between those planned activities. It has worked well for me. 🙂