Online School: What IS Working & What's NOT Working

    We’ve officially made it through the first quarter of the school year. It’s been quite a ride, to say the least. When trying to look back at where we started to where we are now, it all feels like a blur. Adjusting to online school was a hundred times more difficult than I expected. In fact, even now I still don’t feel completely settled. However, by trying new things, I have developed certain routines and habits that help me stay grounded and make me feel better about the overall experience. The biggest problem with online school is that we’re not together, and because of that, it doesn’t promote social activity and building connections. On the platform that my school uses, you can only see one screen- which is obviously the teachers’- and it is that isolating environment that worsens the experience and makes it less enjoyable for everyone; both teachers and students. Online school doesn’t have to be this way, we can make it better if we bring about some changes to the way we do this. Believe me, it is possible. Through trial and error, experience, and reflection, I think I know what is working and what’s not working. If any teachers are reading this, just know that I’m grateful for all you have been doing and I can’t imagine how hard it must be to do classes this way, but I really think that what I’m about to tell you can make or break the experience. 

What's NOT Working:

1. Blackboard Collaborate Ultra

    The number one problem with online school is the platform on which we are doing it on. In BBCU, you can only see one screen, and I think we all know who’s screen that is. Not only does the teacher have to talk into the “void”- poor teachers- but us students can’t see each other, which is why we don’t feel fully comfortable turning on our cameras or microphones. Hence why everyone mainly uses the chat to respond or ask questions. This layout creates an isolating environment that separates us even more and discourages real social interaction, the one thing we absolutely have to prioritize this school year. Also, (as a joke) BBCU blocks certain Latin words in the chat, as I learned when my Latin teacher asked us what the word for “with” is and everyone’s response looked like this: ***. 

2. Random Breakout Groups

    There are a lot of strong opinions on breakout groups. It’s one of those things where there’s no in-between; you either like them or absolutely despise them. My standing on breakout groups is that I don’t think they work well when we are just thrust away from the main room and suddenly respawn with several other people chosen at random. The reason I say this is because most of the time, no one ends up talking in the breakout group (with the possible exception of the chat). Because this is in BBCU, random breakout groups produce an environment that doesn’t effectively promote social interaction since everyone feels too awkward and uncomfortable to talk unless they a) know the people in their group; or b) there are one or two people who decide to roll with it and start talking into the void.

What IS Working:

1. Whole Class Discussions

    Whether it’s solving a math problem together, analyzing poetry together, or translating Latin together, anything that makes us talk or do something TOGETHER (even in the chat) makes this experience a little bit brighter. I really enjoy classes where we do interactive activities involving the whole class. This can include: solving a math problem by listing the steps taken to get the answer; playing together virtually in orchestra or other performing arts classes; discussing the ideas and concepts in a poem as a class; translating, conjugating verbs, or marking up different cases as a whole class in foreign language classes; and doing socratic seminars in history. It’s those activities that promote interaction and create engagement, which is essential for all of us in this virtual environment.

2. Stretch Breaks/Lunch Break

    Having breaks during class and utilizing breaks in between classes can positively change our mood and energy levels during the school day. We’re forced to be in our rooms, stare at screens for six hours, and sit still for a very long time. Not only is this unhealthy, but it can mentally drain us and make the whole school a day a pain to get through. That’s why I think we should have a ten minute or two five minute breaks during class to stretch, move around, anything to get us off of our chairs and do some activity. Enacting this change can increase our productivity, since stretching and other physical activity increases blood flow and oxygenation to the brain, thus enhancing our brain function and energy levels. Also, I think lunch breaks should solely be used to go outside and get fresh air (besides also eating lunch). Because this is a longer break, we should utilize it to refuel ourselves and be in nature. Not only will doing that help us get some exercise, vitamin D, and help relieve stress, but it gives us downtime to just breathe and be in the present moment.

3. Google Meet

    Google Meet is the answer to revolutionizing our online school experience. You can see up to forty-nine people (including yourself) and it includes different layout options for the user to select. I personally love Google Meet. I’ve used it in history for discussions/socratic seminars, orchestra for playing together, Latin Club, and a few other times. For anyone who’s used Google Meet in their classes, you know that it feels completely different from BBCU. When everyone has their cameras on and people are using their mics, it actually feels like you’re in a regular class, which is exactly what we need to combat the isolation and help build connections so that we don’t have to struggle being separated when we know and physically see that we’re all in this together.

    This year has been hard for all of us. That’s why it’s important to take some time to acknowledge and rejoice the fact that we got through the first quarter. No one expected it to be this difficult and challenging. However, we can learn from the failures and mistakes we encountered to make changes that will improve the second quarter. But that still won’t magically solve our problems. There will still be times when we feel confused, lost, and hopeless. Sometimes, forces beyond our control can take away what feels like everything, but the truth is that we always have a choice in how we respond. And it’s how we respond that will determine what will come out from this new phase of our lives.