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Should distance learning continues into fall?

5/14/2020

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Written by 64 Annonymous Students, Hours 1, 3, 7 & 8

Yes

  • Yes, I don’t like the drama and stressful mornings of school.
  • Yes. No matter how well it’s contained, people are going to get it and having school in session just acts as a breeding ground to bring the virus home.
  • Yes, I do. With this time away, I think that responsibility is key to success, and few have the dedication and commitment to be responsible when there are so many distractions around. I feel that I have great responsibility, and I can use it now and go at my own pace. I also consider myself super lucky. I regret saying this, knowing that many are struggling right now, but it has been many, many years since I’ve felt this happy and healthy. First, my best friends live SUPER close to me, so we can take social distancing walks whenever we want. Second, I get to see them and my family a ton more. My sister is back from college, and my parents are both employed (my mom even works full-time!). Third, I feel like this is a GOLDEN opportunity to get in shape. I can better control what I eat since I have so much time, and now that spring is here, I can exercise frequently. Even in the fall, if it gets cold, I can run on our treadmill downstairs.
  • Yeah, I do, because junior year is supposed to be the hardest and I think it would be nice to start out online before it gets really hard in person.
  • For the sake of the public’s health, I hope we do. As much as I would like to return to school, see everyone I know, and learn in a more efficient manner, gathering thousands of students into buildings is bound to cause the deaths of more and more people. However, some might argue that death will occur no matter what in these situations and that we need to learn to live with the virus…
  • Yes, because I hate being at school and I feel like doing online actually helps me with my grade because when I’m at school I just skip class.
  • Yes, school gives me anxiety and I like just working from home. I can get up, grab my computer and just do all my work at my own pace, IN BED! And I don't have to talk to people, which I also like. I like being able to manage my time in my own way, and I love not having to get up early.
  • Yes, because it offers more time with family and more time to complete assigned work—allowing for free time and enjoyment of warm weather about to be taken over by the barren frost.


​Stuck in the Middle

  • I’m not really sure at this time. With distance learning I find it hard sometimes to overcome the distractions that being at home brings and I don’t feel as motivated as I would be in school. However I also like being comfortably at home and able to do my schoolwork wherever I want. I hope it doesn’t go into fall because that would probably also mean the postponing of my hockey season.
  • I do wish it continues into the fall because I'm liking this time at home to enjoy with my family and get caught up on things that I don't normally have time to do. I also don't wish that it continues into the fall because I want all of this to be over so that everyone can go back to normal life and I can see my friends and go back to dance.
  • As much as I love sleeping in a bit later, I really hope distance learning doesn’t continue into the fall. With distance learning I feel unmotivated and somewhat lazy, I feel overwhelmed with some of the work assigned in certain classes, and I miss being able to interact with people in person. If it happens to be unsafe to return to school in the fall, I’ll be upset, but our safety/health comes first.
  • It is definitely easier to get work done during this DL period, but it’s really hard not to see my friends and teachers.
  • Honestly, this time of distance learning has not been terrible for me as I get peace and get to do work at leisure. I am not so blind, however, to know that many families are suffering and the unemployment rate has hit an astonishing high 14.7 percent. …even though this is good for our world, almost all humans are selfish creatures so, no, I do not wish for this distance learning to continue.
  • No, swim season is in the fall, homecoming season is in the fall, and I've already missed a little of the high school experience. However, if we need to do distance learning because of Covid, then it's better to be safe than sorry.
  • I don't want distance learning to continue into the fall because I don't see it being something I can fully get used to. Although, if it does, I think with time I'll be able to get used to it so either way, I don't really mind.
  • Well, there's always a chance that we'll be so far removed from the everyday workings of society by that point that any attempt to re-socialize us will destroy our fragile grasps on both sanity and structure.
  • I don't really care because I just want to graduate high school.


​​No

  • No, it is really hard learning online, and especially hard to keep up with everything.
  • No, I'm okay with doing distance learning for a little while, but I don't think I can continue in the fall. The flexibility of it has its pros and cons. I like to be able to do my work whenever I can, but I also feel lost without a set schedule. I need routine in my life and going to school played a big part in my old routine. I also miss my friends and teachers.
  • I am going to say no to this one. This distance learning process has been so stressful and makes me feel like I am doing twice as much work than being in school. Another thing that is difficult is the element of not getting to interact with my fellow students. One of the biggest downsides to this lifestyle is not getting to see my teachers. The bonds I have with my teachers mean so much more to me than anything I could ever learn in school. Going to school and working hard is so much easier when we get to see our teachers smile. I am forever grateful for each and every teacher who has helped me through this time.
  • Hopefully distance learning does not continue into the fall because I think everyone is tired of being isolated… Things going back to the way they used to is I think what everyone needs.
  • I really hope not. I miss normalcy and don't want distance learning to become normal. It has already been hard trudging through these last couple weeks as the stay at home order was extended. I miss my friends and I miss everything else that came along with my normal life.
  • No, it is way harder to learn and stay focused!!!
  • I am hoping we don’t have distance learning continue to the fall because I want to go back to school with my friends as well as meet my new teachers for the year and make sure I like my new classes. It would also probably be easier on the counselors to do scheduling if we are all in the building because it’s hard to keep up with electronic forms.
  • Absolutely not. I miss my friends and being able to do stuff in school. I miss being able to have a normal life.
  • No. I miss not being able to see my friends each day and I think my quality of learning has gone down.
  • I do not want distance learning next fall because I want to meet my AP teachers in person.
  • I really hope not. Not every teacher follows the same way on how to do things, so it’s difficult acclimating to every teacher’s needs.
  • Nah, I’m good. I want my license.
  • As much as I love sleeping in a bit later, I really hope distance learning doesn’t continue into the fall. With distance learning I feel unmotivated and somewhat lazy, I feel overwhelmed with some of the work assigned in certain classes, and I miss being able to interact with people in person. If it happens to be unsafe to return to school in the fall, I’ll be upset, but our safety/health comes first.
  • No, I miss the energy of being around people it really makes me happy
  • No. I will cry. I don't feel like I’m really learning. It’s not enjoyable.
  • No, because I am starting PSEO classes at RCTC in the fall!!!
  • No, I want to be able to see my teachers and friends. I also would like to be able to show my full potential in my classes.
  • I do not want distance learning to continue into the fall. I truly do not like learning this way. It causes much more stress and anxiety than regular school does, so I would love for it to be over as soon as possible. I would also like to see my friends at school in the fall along with going to football games and homecoming. I have had a conversation with my parents about distance learning, and we came to the conclusion that if in person school is still closed in the fall, both me and my brother will be enrolled into a true online school vs. Mayo's distance learning.
  • NOOOOOOO it is awful. I mean that in the nicest way, but it sucks. I need face to face and i feel like my learning is being compromised since I am more getting the work done rather than sitting in class and learning properly. Plus, limited teacher contact, and more work. I feel like I am having more homework than I used to, which makes sense of course--but that adds on. Everyone still has busy schedules and having to take care of their younger siblings as well, so DL is not the best.
  • No. Quarantine has been straining my mental health and I need some distractions. This administration cannot handle this pandemic and it seems like distance learning will have to continue on, which is extremely disheartening and frustrating. Even though parts of the country are opening, it's a very irresponsible move. Another wave is bound to happen, just watch. Rather than taking notes on what places like Wuhan, China and even New Zealand did, this country, that is full of corrupted crooks who value economy over public health, is continuously ignoring CDC guidelines and health officials. More people are going to get sick and die, and this is just devastating. There's a thing called proactivity and this administration is proving that it has never heard of it. Rant done, and try to prove me wrong.
  • I personally don't. As much as I hated school, now that it is gone it just doesn't feel right. I got so used to socializing with people face to face and talking to teachers. It doesn't feel normal, so I hope distance learning doesn't continue into the fall.
  • I hope not because I would like to see my friends and teachers again.
  • Definitely not. Personally, I don’t think that teaching online is conducive to learning. I enjoy face-face connections and learning with a classroom full of ideas.
  • No, I do not like distance learning my teachers are giving me too much homework because they think I have nothing better to do, but I do.
  • I really hope that distance learning does not continue in the fall. I really miss all of my friends and the human interactions that happen at school. I would like to think that things will be back to normal in the fall but I don't see that as a realistic possibility.
  • No, because it's very boring not being able to see my friends. School just isn't the same online.
  • I really hope that we go back to school. I really miss the social aspect, and all of the separate school activities. I like talking to my friends and teachers.
  • I really hope we can go back to actual school. Distance Learning is way more stressful than actual school, and I miss having daily interactions with people.
  • No, I want things to be back to normal for Junior year. I miss seeing friends and I have soccer season in the fall. I am a varsity captain this year so it would be really disappointing to not have a season.
  • No, I actually prefer being at school rather than at home, because I feel I'm more motivated.
  • NO, I’m already so behind on all school work and if I keep this up I am not going to graduate.
  • No, I do not because I struggle with keeping on task and with more time home it is really easy for me to forget and mix up assignments.
  • No. School is just as much a social activity as it is a learning activity. It gives me an opportunity to see my friends every day. If social distancing continues into the fall it will not only be very hard on me, but it would also mean that the pandemic isn't getting any better which is also not good.
  • No... While I think following restrictions and guidelines is important, it is hard to truly feel like I am learning when I am in an environment other than school. I think that it is hard for me not only because of the stress levels, but also because I know that I should be in a school right now. Something always feels off with at-home learning, and I miss the structure and the opportunities to ask for help in person. It is just not quite the same as being taught at school.
  • I do not hope it does because I miss seeing people and there are so many wonderful things we take for granted about school.
  • No. I already feel so unstable and broken...any more separation will further damage me.
  • No. I want to socialize meet my new teachers, do ceramics. But if schools open and my parents don't think it’s a good idea then I won't be going.
  • There are some aspects of distance learning that I could get used to, but after a few week I'm starting to miss seeing my friends and teachers.
  • No I hope it doesn’t. I really miss my friends and it’s more difficult for me to find motivation for school when I’m at home.
  • No. I'm missing that human interaction. I need to see the face of the teachers when I turn in something late! Lol!
  • I hope we go back to school in the fall because I miss my friends. I also love fall season in general the football games are my favorite games of the year. Missing out on homecoming would be really unfortunate as well.
  • No, I do not hope distance learning continues into the fall. I like actually GOING to school and seeing friends/teachers in person, and distance learning isn't allowing for either of those things. Furthermore, I don't like that I now spend all of my time at my computer, as my vision has worsened significantly since online school has started.
  • I hope distance learning doesn’t continue I to the fall. As this has continued going on, I have felt little to no motivation to complete my work and stay caught up. I rely heavily on the structure of the classroom and I am struggling without it.
  • Truly, I do not wish distance learning to continue in the fall. I miss routine, I miss seeing human beings, and I wish I wasn't surrounded by the same four walls all day. I thought that I had no motivation during school, but boy, was I wrong. Now, nothing stops me from laying in my bed in a dreamy, disorienting state where I'm not quite sure if I've been on my phone or if I've been sleeping for the past four hours. I am in need of someone to force me to get up at 6:00 and drag me from the prison that is my home to the prison that is school. Strange how my attitudes change so quickly when things I take for granted are taken away from me.
  • No, I find distance learning pretty difficult as I like more interaction with other students and better help from teachers as communication currently can be a bit more difficult. I miss friends and I like getting out of the house to go to school and participate in extracurriculars like xc, chess club, and lacrosse. I do enjoy having a choice on what I work on and when, however having classes motivates me more to do my work on time and as fast as possible.
  • No, I miss school. That is something I never thought I’d say, but distance learning is much harder contrary to what I would have thought. I hope we are able to go back in the fall.
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Struggles with Learning from a distance

5/1/2020

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Written by Lual Alim, Hour 3
It was honestly hard to hear Gov. Walz announce that all schools statewide were shutting down: a small part of me believed schools were actually getting shut down, but I also felt as if the Covid-19 situation was going to get better and everyone could finally resume their lives. Especially me: I went through a lot this school year and just as things were trying to get better school got shut down; but, unfortunately it isn't the case. I'm anxious with the new process of distance learning. I don't know what to expect and I think it's going to be very challenging for many student--not only myself.

...It's going to be challenging because not everyone is used to working from home and being in the same environment all day with their families. Also, many students don't have the privilege [of] having WiFi access at home and many other resources schools provided for them to fulfill their needs--whether it was lunch, an escape from home, or just the basic resources to help them meet their future goals. Many families are also struggling financially due to this pandemic.

Although, regardless of many cons, I agree with Gov. Walz and his actions with this new mandate he issued. The Covid-19 pandemic is very serious and children can spread it very easil; children come in contact with each other and others very easily. So, a pro with this new mandate would definitely be the fact that it's slowing down the spread of Covid-19. Hopefully people try to stick to state guidelines and practice safe social distancing, so we can try to resume a healthy lifestyle.
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Finding Connections & Insight Through Books

4/14/2020

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Written by Annonymous, Hour 7
Currently reading the series The Phoenix Files by C. Morphew
The book that I am reading is somewhat of a dystopian novel, and the entire human race will be dead within 100 days, so reading it somewhat relates to the pandemic we are in right now. It talks about how the 2000ish residents who are living in a fictional town called Phoenix, which is situated in the middle of the Australian desert, will be the only survivors and they have no way to connect with the outside world (which again, somewhat relates to the pandemic we are in right now).
Written by Ryan Robinson, Hour 3
Currently reading The Shining by S. King
It's kinda funny that I am reading The Shinning because it is about a family who is stuck at a hotel by themselves and they can't leave because of the snow all around them--just like how we are forced to stay home and can't leave because of COVID-19.
​Written by Annonymous, Hour 8
Currently reading The Bell Jar by S. Plath
Like all of us now, the main character Esther Greenwood is trapped. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath follows Esther through her downward spiral into despair and debilitating depression, which isolates her from those around her just as the act of quarantining does. Though she is not trapped in the same way that we are, the feelings of fear and loneliness are the same. Plath does not pretend that recovering is easy or quick. Through Esther, Plath demonstrates that when a situation is most dire, one must fight the temptation to give up. Instead, one must put every effort into improving the situation. Now, we must make the choice that Esther did. Do we surrender, or do we fight?
Written by Ella, Hour 7
Currently reading The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by M. Manson
My book discusses a lot about how bad situations are bound to happen in life and your happiness depends on how you deal with them. It is no use avoiding negative experiences, because the avoidance will make you sad. In the times of a pandemic, we can only accept the bad situation and make the most of it.
Written by Madeline, Hour 3
Currently reading Would Everybody Please Stop by J. Allen
The book I’m reading now is about a lady going through a divorce after finding her husband cheating on her and the struggles she faces as she parents her children. She is extremely positive and makes the harsh situations seem funny. It is really nice to be entertained by a lady going through an even more difficult situation.
1 Comment

Learning While Navigating the Unknown

4/13/2020

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At the start of our first week of online learning, my students had a chance to answer this optional  survey question: "When it comes to growing your skills during the remainder of the year, what insights or concerns do you have to share with Mrs. Lyke?"

Below is a small sampling of student responses, seperated by the natural categories they tended to fall into.
Written by 21 Annonymous Students, Hours 1, 3, 7 & 8
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Watching the News

4/8/2020

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Witten by Shree Chakraborty, Hour 1
I feel paranoid that it will be a long while before everyone's lives will return to normal. The news states how drastically the numbers are going up; under 20 deaths by last month, and now over 12,000. The virus seems to be even more of a concern due to a delay of action to help prevent the spread. Although social distancing is helping, it isn't enough, especially since there is no real cure or vaccine developed against the virus. The news also tells stories of young individuals who are suffering and dying from the virus, implying that no one is safe. Ever since Covid-19 began to take control of everyone's lives, my family and I began to watch the news more and pay closer attention to the growing number of people affected. I believe the news because enough research has been done to report events accurately.
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