This interview was summed up with a student of Huntsville high school. (Thanks for your time!)
What does distance learning look like at your school? How much time do you spend studying online and how much on your own?
I have never been a part of distance learning program until covid-19 forced us to be a part of it. It has been quite disciplined just like our normal classes and the imparting of knowledge through distance learning has not taken a dent which is commendable. I spend the time studying online as much as our online classes run which is usually 7 hours and except few situations where I require information from online. My usual self study time varies from 2-3 hours apart from the regular online classes nowadays.
Are you able to organize your time?
Yeah, our online classes have been scheduled in a way that it does leave us with enough time to distribute our time for other activities apart from it.
Based on your experience (opinion) – What are the advantages of distance learning?
Flexibility of time, study from anywhere and anytime, task of commuting is cut out.
Based on your experience (opinion) – What are the disadvantages of distance learning?
Less effective as serious learning and the competitiveness is lacking, student and teacher interaction isn’t at the level as it is in a normal classes. Overall the learning environment takes a dip which could dent the learning spirit of students.
Do you consider yourself actually learning/studying during distance learning? Elaborate please.
Yeah but the level of learning outcome might vary depending upon the interest shown by the students.
What do you think about being on cameras during online lessons? Do you have to have them turned on? Why?
It’s necessary for the sake of maintenance of discipline in the class which is very much crucial for effective learning. But it sometimes feels awkward to be monitored through a camera especially when the chances of lapse of concentration are higher and it could get worse if you bear the brunt of your teacher if you get caught in a sleepy mood or in a position of eyes being closed or inattentive while the class is running. Cameras ensure students pay attention to the class.
Are you motivated? Has it been changing with time?
Not always really, it keeps changing. In fact the biggest challenge in my life has been to stay motivated every day and it has turned out to be the biggest struggle so far. I am a moody person and my mood constantly goes for a swing, so I like to do whatever appears right to me at that particular point of time irrespective of its relevance which leads to me to the zone of procrastination.
How would you describe your mental well-being since the beginning of distance learning? How do you currently feel? It’s hard to express the journey of my mental well being. No doubt it was tough at the beginning and it felt awkward to attend the classes online because it was fixed at the back of my mind that online stuffs are for entertainment and they were never meant to be serious. It got better with time and now I am able to adjust to them. Time heals everything!! Right?
What structure does your normal day currently have?
It isn’t fixed so it won’t qualify as a structure. It depends how the day pans out for me. Whether it’s productive or not? If I have to sum up my normal day then it has to be wake up late just before the online class starts, get ready as quickly as you can, grab something to eat and do the online classes. By the time it finishes it is almost evening so I seek some fun and want to be in a chill mood. Hang out with friends, go out with them, and discuss anything you want with them if that could make you feel better or play some games if it falls under a plan. Look after your girl if you are dating one and pay less attention to the homework when you return home, sleep late if you have to finish them urgently.
Do you have any tips for making your self-studying more fun / varied as a recommendation for others?
TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM PHONE UNLESS IT IS NECESSARY, THAT’S SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO MYSELF BUT HAVEN’T BEEN SUCCESSFUL. PHONE IS A BIG PART OF OUR LIVES AS IF OUR ENTIRE WORLD IS BASED ON IT SO WE TEND TO GIVE IT MORE VALUE THAN REQUIRED. THIS HAMPERS OUR SELF STUDY AND WE END UP ENJOYING IT LESS.
Is distance learning convenient for you? Do you want normal schooling back? Why?
I do not prefer distance learning. It’s not about how convinient it is. It was required out of bound so that our education does not take a hit during pandemic. And we have succefully stuck to it and continue to draw benefits from it. It isn’t the usual system. I badly want our lives to get back to normal, which is to ensure there is no death anymore due to the pandemic and no more sufferings due to it. We do not want our life to be hanging by a thread and we have had enough of the panic situation.
Do you have any motto for this difficult time?
Life is full of surprises and uncertainties and this difficult time has proved the latter. One thing that I personally learnt during this pandemic is life is all about adapting. The one who masters the art of adaptation finds themselves merrier. We have faced difficult situations like World War I and II before and have come out of it successfully. This pandemic demands doing small things like wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, washing our hands regularly, abiding by the health protocols that are in place and helping the affected in order to beat it. Let us stay united during this difficult time and don’t divide ourselves. This is the adaptation one must be looking after.