Remote Learning: Temporarily or “In The Long Run”?
By Muzixin Dang
Remote learning is a method of schooling that is trending in many countries due to the pandemic, and some educators think it could be a new way to learn and teach and could replace the classroom in the future. However, not everybody agrees.
Schools in Wellesley have been closed since March, and teachers are concerned about the students’ experiences with remote learning. The question of “how’s remote learning going for you” became a common opening for almost every class. However, students have both positive and negative feedback on this way of teaching.
“I like remote learning better, since I get to wake up later, it's convenient going from class to class, and the schedule is more flexible. Sometimes, when teachers post the learning for the week, I can do some work in advance so I have more free time later in the week,” said Ava Chen ’24.
Allowing students to manage their time is one of the biggest benefits of remote learning. Students have more freedom to allocate their time, and this skill will be really helpful for them in the future. However for some students, they feel that they are not using time efficiently and are always distracted by their phones.
The most common complaint about not being able to go back to school is that students can’t have contact or chat with their friends, which they really miss.
“I think social interaction is very important, and staring at a screen all day is not good for your health either. Remote learning temporarily is fine, but I would rather work in the actual place in the long run,” said Chen.
Social distancing and health issues caused by staring at a screen all day are the two main reasons why students don’t want remote learning in the “long run”. Some parents hold similar attitudes towards remote learning.
“There isn’t any big change in my life because I don’t have a job and don’t need to go to work. But remote learning would definitely change my daily schedule and reduce the time I used to spend with my wife only. I hope school will open as quickly as possible,” said Ming Dang, a parent of a student at the middle school.
Students will spend more time at home if remote learning continues, and it would certainly cause many changes in every family. Surprisingly, Dang couldn’t come up with any compliments for remote learning while he stated that his attitude towards online school was neutral.
Overall, students are more likely to better engage with learning in normal classes than online classes, and prefer to go back to school as soon as possible. Parents are also looking forward to the opening of the schools and return to their normal life.
Schools in Wellesley have been closed since March, and teachers are concerned about the students’ experiences with remote learning. The question of “how’s remote learning going for you” became a common opening for almost every class. However, students have both positive and negative feedback on this way of teaching.
“I like remote learning better, since I get to wake up later, it's convenient going from class to class, and the schedule is more flexible. Sometimes, when teachers post the learning for the week, I can do some work in advance so I have more free time later in the week,” said Ava Chen ’24.
Allowing students to manage their time is one of the biggest benefits of remote learning. Students have more freedom to allocate their time, and this skill will be really helpful for them in the future. However for some students, they feel that they are not using time efficiently and are always distracted by their phones.
The most common complaint about not being able to go back to school is that students can’t have contact or chat with their friends, which they really miss.
“I think social interaction is very important, and staring at a screen all day is not good for your health either. Remote learning temporarily is fine, but I would rather work in the actual place in the long run,” said Chen.
Social distancing and health issues caused by staring at a screen all day are the two main reasons why students don’t want remote learning in the “long run”. Some parents hold similar attitudes towards remote learning.
“There isn’t any big change in my life because I don’t have a job and don’t need to go to work. But remote learning would definitely change my daily schedule and reduce the time I used to spend with my wife only. I hope school will open as quickly as possible,” said Ming Dang, a parent of a student at the middle school.
Students will spend more time at home if remote learning continues, and it would certainly cause many changes in every family. Surprisingly, Dang couldn’t come up with any compliments for remote learning while he stated that his attitude towards online school was neutral.
Overall, students are more likely to better engage with learning in normal classes than online classes, and prefer to go back to school as soon as possible. Parents are also looking forward to the opening of the schools and return to their normal life.
Muzixin Dang is a participant of the First to the Frontpage Summer of 2020 program.