The Remote Learning Experience

By Tali Goldman ‘23

    This past September, Golda Och Academy students returned to the school’s hallways after four long months of learning from home.  We now wear masks, social distance and complete daily health screenings before entering the school. Some students, however, continue to learn remotely by zooming into their classes. The remote learning experience brings both challenges, benefits and new lessons in this uncharted territory.

    The combination of in-person and remote students calls for unique solutions, especially having to do with the new technology needed to successfully adapt to both circumstances. During the first few days of school, teachers navigated new classroom technology like microphones and learned how to best adjust to the remote students’ needs.
    “I’d say the main issue is a lack of access to important, basic information that students need in class. Information like, ‘What is my teacher saying right now? Do I have homework? What am I supposed to be doing right now?’” sophomore Izzi Zellan said. “[A key issue for remote students is] making sure that the teacher is sharing their screen or is near the microphone… in those same classes, it’s usually much harder to participate since teachers cannot always be looking directly at the zoom screen.”
    Other remote students agree with Zellan’s sentiment, emphasizing the importance of being able to hear and engage in class discussions. 
    “It is very difficult to learn the material in class when you can’t hear other students’ ideas and thoughts on the topic,” junior Amy Stein said.
    After listening to student feedback, an increasing number of teachers have resolved this central issue by implementing multi-directional microphones or speakers in their classrooms. These devices pick up and amplify in-person students’ voices, making classes accessible and enjoyable for remote students. The ability to hear classmates not only makes it easier to participate in class but helps to remedy the missing social aspect of remote learning. 
    “The most challenging thing for me definitely is not being surrounded by other people,” sophomore Russell Moss said, encouraging more teachers to “explore the area of multi-directional microphones…  it is so beneficial to be able to see and hear everyone and feel like you’re a part of the environment.”
    Being a remote student naturally leads to increased screen time and screen fatigue. Not only is it difficult to be online from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. most days, but completing homework and studying also require technology. 
    Compared to her time learning from home, Zellan said “I feel less tired after school now. It’s definitely been better to be moving around the building and not always looking at a screen.”
Zoom fatigue makes it harder to participate in class, especially as the day goes on, so frequent breaks are necessary for productive learning. In response to this problem, some remote students enjoy stepping outside in between classes to take a break and disengage from their screens for a few minutes, helping them refocus for their next class.
    “I’m able to step away from being engaged in a large group of people and have a few moments to take a breath and take a break,” Moss said.
    Despite the unique challenges of remote learning and the trial-and-error process of finding new ways to improve the remote experience, remote learning presents benefits for students. Students say they enjoy not having to wake up early or make long commutes. 
    GOA teachers have been working hard to accommodate both the new COVID-19 restrictions and Zoom simultaneously; maintaining this balance is not necessarily second nature. Remote and in-person students alike recognize the effort and level of care teachers have for ensuring the success of remote students in their classes. Remote students particularly find teachers’ use of Google Classroom useful. 
    “Teachers are making sure in some fashion that any physical materials are available digitally - through Google Classroom, zoom screen sharing, etc. - for remote students to follow along with,” senior Aaron Gutterman said. He pushes more for “a uniform system for communication between students and teachers. Posting assignments and materials in an organized and predictable fashion would help students keep better track of their work and have a greater ability to focus in class instead of scrambling for materials.”
    GOA has been dedicated and accommodating in planning a variety of options for all GOA students this year. The ability to choose between remote instruction and in-person instruction is greatly appreciated by all students. While remote instruction at GOA is always improving, the newness of this task brings priceless lessons in creativity, practicality and collaboration in the midst of an unprecedented situation.
    ​“The teachers do genuinely care about making sure everyone is having a good learning experience. When they’re told about a problem, I think they do try to fix it as best they can.” Zellan said. “We’re all figuring this out as we go, and I think the teachers are doing an admirable job of making the best of this situation.”