From the classroom to the bedroom: How students really feel about online learning

BY KAMDYN ROHER

Waking up at 8:29 a.m. and being ready to start class by 8:30 a.m. Going to school in pajamas. Eating breakfast while listening to your teacher take attendance. 

With remote learning, all of these traditionally bizarre concepts that would not ‘fly’ at school now seem to almost be the norm, becoming common habits for many students. Instead of going to classes on campus, the new classroom is most likely one’s bedroom. Now, teachers are behind a bright screen that students must view for hours.  

“Having assignments due everyday keeps us looking at our computers during class and after,” sophomore Tevel Nizahon said. “My eyes are so sore by the end of the day.”

These past few weeks of e-Learning in Broward County have been full of many challenges for students, teachers and families, from internet problems to learning how to navigate apps like Microsoft Teams and Canvas. 

Transitioning thousands of students who are used to going to school in-person to online classes was a big change for all. This is a completely new system for students and it has been a learning curve for many as they become adjusted to the new normal.

“My eyes are so sore by the end of the day.”

Sophomore Tevel Nizahon

“Online learning can be difficult to navigate, but it is slowly getting easier,” sophomore Sukaina Jaffer said. “As time has passed on, I’m understanding it more and it’s not as bad.”

Although the schedule is the almost same as traditional schooling, remote learning confines students to one area of their home for an extended period of time. And, the seven-minute transition period turned into five minutes and the 40-minute lunch time turned into 30 minutes.

Additionally, students have to be in front of their devices all day and are virtually on their own. 

“Not being able to talk to anyone [makes] it hard to figure anything out,” junior Preston Horne said. “People are really what make school enjoyable. Online learning is really showing me how I took school for granted before.” 

Collaboration between peers and instructors makes a classroom a positive educational environment. Before, some classes seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. Now, it’s as though they are twice as long for many.

But not every student sees only the negative aspects to online learning. 

“Online learning has been a lot better than I thought,” junior Sydney Katz said. “It has taught me better time management.”

“Online learning has been a lot better than I thought.”

Junior Sydney Katz

With remote learning, all work is now homework and plenty of assignments are done outside of class. Some students have found that online learning has created a sense of independence and self-reliance, increasing their work ethic.  

Everyone has been impacted by online learning, and the freshmen of CCHS are really feeling this abrupt change. The beginning of their high school experience has been turned on its head. 

“All last year in eighth grade, my friends and I were so excited to get to high school,” freshman Ben Salpeter said. “This is not what we wanted. All the extra work, staring at the screen all day and not getting to talk to my friends in class and in the hallways– it’s almost degrading.” 

Comparing online learning to in-person learning is like comparing apples to oranges; they fall under the same category, but they are clearly not the same. 

Photo by Anabella Garcia