Shorten online school days

HANNA BOUGHANEM REPORTER “I’m not really sure how I feel about [shortened class periods],” social studies teacher Amanda Williams said. “It would be tough from my perspective to try and make sure I’m [teaching] everything

Aroom where the only light is the white glare of a computer and not overloading students with work outside of class.” screen. Endless days and countless hours spent hunched over, Some students have similar worries. For example, while Shobeiri ready to sit, stare, type, repeat. Backaches, headaches and utter feels that online school is tiring, she doesn’t believe it’s possible to exhaustion. Life is stressful enough amid a pandemic—the last thing shorten online school days. students need is unnecessarily long online classes. “For most of my classes we’re using all of that time lecturing and

At one point, students would have relished the idea of attending doing these things that are necessary,” Shobeiri said. “I know by the school from the comfort of their own homes. However, it has end of the year when AP exam time rolls around, that’s going to be become increasingly clear that virtual school very stressful for everyone because we’re going creates its own form of fatigue. to have less review time.”

Even during breaks, students are glued to I THINK [THERE IS] Though these concerns are valid, it’s important their screens, determined to finish assignments or to get ahead on new ones. They can never catch a break, and it is time for that to change. JUST THE GENERAL FEELING THAT THE to look at the bigger picture. It’s still unclear how this excessive screen time will affect students in the long run, but the potential long-term risks Since in-person school is not a safe option right KIDS ARE NOT OK.” simply aren’t worth it. It is completely ridiculous now, schools should take the initiative to shorten online days for the good of students everywhere. - CRISSIE RICKETTS MATH TEACHER that the health and well-being of our youth has taken a backseat to test scores.

“Any time I’m not at practice, I’m on some “The priority should be the students’ health. sort of screen,” junior Susan Shobeiri said. “So, And if [shortening online school days] is [I spend] at least eight hours during school, and then at least two to something that’s going to make that better, then we as teachers can four hours after school, depending on my workload. And I know it’s adjust to that,” Williams said. probably a lot more difficult for some people who are home all the There has to be some level of compromise, and there are ways to time; it really takes a toll when you don’t go outside.” reduce daily class times while still ensuring that students are learning

Most teachers are aware of these struggles. They feel for their all the required material. For one, the school should make Mondays students and understand how difficult it is to stay focused during synchronous. This way, the total yearly hours would remain the same, longer class periods. but daily classes would be shorter, and students’ screen time would

“We’ve got kids that [complain about] the screen time and how be greatly reduced. it causes headaches and fatigue,” math teacher Crissie Ricketts said. Whatever the case, it is clear that the current schedule is not “I think [there is] just the general feeling that the kids are not OK.” sustainable for students. In the end, the only way to correct the

For subjects like math and science, most teachers use a flipped current situation is to shorten online school days in some capacity. classroom model, in which learning takes place outside of class and in-class time is used for practice. SHORTENED SCHEDULE SUGGESTION In classes like these, there is absolutely no need for 80-minute blocks.

“You have these preconceived ideas that we have an 80-minute class. And so when we’re face-to-face, we sit in the room for that 80 minutes,” Ricketts said. “But with this new paradigm, who’s to say that if you’re done with your work, you can’t just go?”

McLean should at least consider implementing a schedule that would allow for shorter math and science periods since most of the learning tends to take place outside of class anyway. Students don’t need to be staring at their screens for an additional 60 minutes a day, especially if they’ve already spent time watching videos and taking notes on their own. School should be productive, and forcing kids to spend more time in class is anything but that.

For subjects that rely on different styles of instruction, shortening classes could make it difficult for teachers to cover the entire curriculum, especially in AP level classes.