Lots of schools reopened to everyone after a year of the pandemic, but as COVID-19 continues to sweep across the globe, teachers and students adjusted and prepared for their return to all in-person learning. A majority of students at BVHS prefer remote learning, but others detest it. 

At the beginning of hybrid learning, I was beginning to feel comfortable with the tools and the rhythms of virtual learning. I continue to find it challenging. Hybrid really messed up with my sleeping schedule. The days where I stayed at home, I got to sleep in and the feeling of not driving to school was amazing. On the days I have to go to school, I wake up early, do my normal school routine and drive to school. As much as I love doing school from home because I have a lot of time to do homework and eat snacks any time of the day, in-school learning helps me connect more easily with my teachers and I focus better than at home. 

In-person learning is better because it has an advantage for all students, as opposed to virtual alternatives. When students are physically at school, they can concentrate better because there are fewer distractions and fewer opportunities to leave the classroom than at home. In-person schooling results in more teacher and student time, rather than remote learning. Being at school with a teacher helps students develop deeper understandings of the material and gives the teachers the tools to help students by identifying the student’s body language. For example, if a student has a confused look on their face, the teacher knows to help the student and explain the material more clearly.

With in-person learning, students are allowed to connect and communicate with teachers to problem-solve and network with students from a wide range of backgrounds. Being in school allows students to build relationships with people instead of staring at a screen over zoom. 

With remote learning, parents are struggling to support their children in their hybrid learning environment, leading to parents who are worried about their children’s future and education. Remote learning can lead to a lack of motivation in students, as they are not as driven to learn as they were when physically attending school. Remote learning leads children to focus merely on finishing online courses, instead of retracting information that they can carry to their next year of education. With remote learning students can easily cheat on tests which shows they aren’t even trying, learning, or paying attention in class.