School is back in session. Actually, it has been for a while now. The first semester is over and the second is starting. By now, people understand that school during a pandemic is filled with endless stress and challenges. There is really nothing easy about it. To be quite honest, students attending school whether it’s virtual or in person deserve way more than a pat on the back.
Students across all learning paths are still figuring out just how this works and so are the teachers. I honestly feel for the teachers who have gotten used to a specific teaching method that just won’t work virtually. They are forced to teach their curriculum different entirely just as students are forced to learn differently. Now, with these predicaments, most would think grading would also be less harsh.
Although the way teaching is done and curriculum is learned, expectations remain the same. How can one possibly expect a student to have the same mindset virtually as they do in person? I know, it takes a certain level of discipline and drive to want to finish your work on time and maintain good grades; but, it isn’t easy doing so while still being present in your regular everyday life.
School from home is different for everyone. Some people avoid school at all costs, so this is paradise. For others who aren’t so fortunate to have the best home life, may find this a struggle within itself. School can sometimes be a much needed distraction from personal struggles and issues. You can’t get that virtually.
Doing school from home may cause a person to sit in the same space all day with constant thoughts and worries. The constant emails can be annoying. Keeping track of time can be difficult. And trying to maintain a focus during a Zoom is basically impossible.
All I am asking is that teachers and educators take into consideration that school is not the only thing students have to worry about. You can never truly know what happens once the screens turn off. Don’t call your students lazy and take away points because work isn’t done on time. We, as students, understand wanting to maintain normalcy; but, you simply can’t do that during a pandemic. Nothing is normal. I haven’t seen the lower half of a person’s face in public for nearly a year.
Stop grading so harshly and please try to sympathize and understand that school isn’t really our main focus right now. Students all over are adapting to a new way of life that they didn’t know was going to happen. Students are growing up in a world that is changing rapidly. Tomorrow isn’t promised and we realize that.
Typing during a panoramic,
An Unmotivated Student 🙂
Yes Taylor, Teachers are still being really harsh even though online learning is so much more difficult.