Online Learning: Replacing the Pencil

The Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has taken the world by storm and infected over 300,000 people with over a billion cases. It has caused the closure of business and schools all over the world. With multiple countries and cities enforcing curfews and orders to stay at home to contain the virus, many companies have went digital to try to bring back lost revenue from the virus. Schools and universities have also did the same to catch up in lesson plans so the students do not fall behind. There are many positive and negatives to online learning as it can be beneficial to some and hinder others. Senior, Xavier Myers, says online learning is a different and easy alternative for classes.

“The online classes are better because I don’t have to worry about waking up early and worrying about what I’m missing because everything is online. It is better for me and my friends that have access to internet at home because we can do the assignment anytime of day. Making sure to know your due dates and scheduling when to do your work will keep you on track,” said Myers.

Home internet isn’t always available for other students. With the pandemic spreading rapidly day by day, it is good to have a back-up plan in times like these. Ivan O’Kane, sophomore, has found a way to surpass the struggle of not always having the best internet connection and sees online learning as an opportunity to brush-up on some forgotten material at the click of a button.

“Most of the time I do my online work at my house, but sometimes my WiFi goes in and out. I have a good relationship with my neighbors where they would let me come over and do homework there when I need too. Internet connection can hinder a lot of students when they don’t have another option because everything is closed. Also, sometimes it helps when u don’t know a subject you can open another tab and find out ways to do it. For me and my situation, learning online is a good alternative to the traditional system,” said O’Kane.

The traditional classroom setting makes for easy communication between peers and teacher to student. Baylee Rosson, sophomore, says online learning has its benefits as far as leisure time goes, but when you run into a topic that is confusing, the struggle is in finding immediate help that is understandable, so she leans on her surrounding friends and family.

“Online schooling is helpful because I can do the work on my own time and it gives me a sense of how college will be in the future. A bad part of it is when you aren’t understanding a topic and the internet also doesn’t have the resources to help you, it can be hard. It’s not as easy as going to the teacher and asking for help because everything is virtual and the main way to contact your teachers would be through email. I have only had to deal with that a couple times because I also have friends and parents I ask for help with my assignments,” said Rosson.

COVID-19 is a world pandemic that is making lasting effects closer and closer to home. With many school districts closing school indefinitely, until they feel it is safe to return, online learning is now the new normal.