Teachers and Students Face Online Learning Challenges

By: Alexandria Urena

In the last week, California has gained 38,522 COVID-19 cases. Making a total of 688,858 cases since August 23. 

 The current number of cases has made in-school learning too risky for regular classes to meet in a traditional way. Since students can not physically go back to school, Visalia Unified School District (VUSD) has transitioned to full distance learning. 

Full distance learning has created lots of new things for teachers to learn.

Tech coach, Mrs. Moore says “I think the biggest challenge is just figuring out how to be a virtual teacher and a virtual learner. The shift in responsibility becomes a lot more stark.” She says that online learning “requires students to take more ownership of their learning than the traditional classroom. Usually, teachers can hold the students’ hands a bit more and offer more support in a face-to-face setting” compared to distance learning.

 “Teachers have to figure out how to give students a full and robust learning experience while also not overloading them”

Mrs. Moore, Tech Support

Moore says “I think most teachers are mindful about lesson design. They are considering what is most important to cover and how we can streamline the curriculum. I think a lot of teachers have used their professional learning community (PLC) as collaborators and for encouragement. We also have a team of five Technology Coaches on-campus that teachers can turn to for support when needed.”

 Redwood English teacher, Mrs. Adalian, says “Full distance learning has been a challenge. The most important part of teaching is creating a positive environment in which students feel supported academically and emotionally. This is more difficult to do online because of the frustrations caused by technology”

Adalian says, “Some of the disruptive behavior that can happen in a regular classroom cannot happen in distance learning. Discipline is easier because teachers have the ability to mute a student, turn off their camera, or excuse them from the zoom meeting if their behavior doesn’t help themselves or others learn”

There are also students who don’t want to learn. A majority of teachers have noticed students are on their phones or are watching tv during class. Teachers have to find ways to interest students with no desire to learn. 

 “We have to create lessons that are interactive and intellectually stimulating enough that students have no desire to text or watch TV. They are so busy learning from the teacher, developing their ideas in breakout rooms with friends, and designing interesting ways to share what they know that they aren’t interested in distractions,” says Adalian.

Justyne Sanchez a student at Redwood says “Some of the problems I have faced with learning online is having technical issues and virtual classroom engagement.”Two common problems many students face with learning online. Sanchez also says “When faced with this challenge I overcome technical issues by not having a lot of tabs open since it takes up the energy from the high-speed internet connection.” To stay on task she “mak[es] sure I pay attention very carefully to get all the information that I need for an assignment or classwork.” 

Sanchez also says “When faced with this challenge I overcome technical issues by not having a lot of tabs open since it takes up the energy from the high-speed internet connection. Lastly, I overcome virtual classroom engagement by making sure I pay attention very carefully to get all the information that I need for an assignment or classwork.” Even though there have been many struggles many students find ways to overcome them. Its not only students having to overcome problems its also teachers.

Tags: computer problems, Redwood, vusd, zoom