Back To School! The Difficulties of E-Learning

Coming back to school has been a difficult challenge for the almost 90,000 Denver Public Schools students spanning kindergarten to 12th grade Some of these students or their families may have lost their jobs or even loved ones, especially in Southwest Denver, one of the hardest-hit regions in all of Denver. In the Westwood neighborhood, for example, the COVID-19 case rate is nearly 5x that of the Washington Park neighborhood according to Denver Public Health

The introduction of synchronous sessions, lectures and course lessons that occur live through video conferencing software, is a serious drawback to both mental and physical health because students sit on zoom calls 4-6 hours a day As the pandemic drags on and stress levels rise, students are less engaged and attendance rates are down because there is no motivation to stay on the computer for so long.

Personally, I have felt less engaged in my learning, and after talking to a number of students throughout DPS, many agree Online school has made learning to any extent more difficult; it’s simply less occupying and seems like more of an option than a requirement With the entirety of the internet at the fingertips of most students, it’s always tempting to play a game, call a friend, or leave class altogether.

But even during these times of a pandemic, youth should stay motivated and focused on their education while reaching out for help whenever they need it I recommend being adaptable to change and staying positive throughout this time period while finding ways to stay active during the day Some ways can include, taking a walk around your house or stepping outside to get some sunshine. As a teacher, a parent, or a friend, giving youth support, checking in on them, and making plans to tackle schoolwork can be some of the most effective ways to support them.