In-Person Learning Setting A New Precedent
Six weeks of hybrid learning show the start of a return to normalcy for the 2021-2022 school year.
By Jace Szarlacki
Six weeks of hybrid learning show the start of a return to normalcy for the 2021-2022 school year.
By Jace Szarlacki
Masks, protective barriers, charging stations, and strict social distancing have come to define these last few weeks of in-person learning at Pioneer. For many, returning to campus felt like an old memory. For freshmen, it’ll take some time to fully adjust to the place they’ll call “school” for the next four years.
While some students remain online, the ones arriving in person have found themselves in class sizes as low as one, though other classes could include as many as seven or eight other students. When at break, students are required to have their masks on at all times except when eating or drinking and are encouraged to chat in smaller groups. Classroom doors and windows have also remained opened to support better airflow within the classroom.
As Pioneer is now open, many of the present students, like Nick Paolo, 9, feel that their academic focus and efficiency have only risen as a result of being in a quiet, encouraging school environment.
“[Going to school]turned out to be a lot better than I thought. My grades have already gone up a lot because it’s a lot easier to get your work done and the work environment is a lot quieter so it helps,” Paolo said.
Being physically present within a classroom has contributed to student’s success in evading repetitive distractions like using cell phones or falling down social media rabbit holes. Freshman Samantha Hoyt noticed that this time for her has been used towards completing school-related assignments and homework.
“I’m not tempted to be on my phone as much. I can do a lot more work in class so I don’t have as much homework,” said Hoyt.
While students continue to find their pace and place in this hybrid learning model, teachers are no strangers to adjusting on the go, having to adapt to classroom measures installed by the San José Unified School District.
Clear-rolling plastic dividers have been set up in each classroom for teachers to use when wanting to move around the classroom. Although many of them are starting to collect dust, it’s an option for teachers who want to interact with students while maintaining prioritized safety.
Many of the formerly used desks have also been taped off in strategy to maintain distancing for the few kids that are in each classroom. At the end of class, students are required to wipe down their seating area, mainly concerning the desks and chairs used. Windows have also been opened to increase the air-flow within the classroom.
Some teachers feel the presence of studentsin real classrooms has proven to be a more efficient learning model as it ensures students have access to immediate direction and guidance from their teachers, and Spanish teacher Jesús Lopez finds it helpful for getting direct feedback from students.
“I prefer students to be in my class versus teaching online because I can see them, I can work with them more directly, I can monitor, and I can give them immediate feedback versus at home where so often, students don’t answer on a timely manner and I don’t know if they are there or not because they don’t even turn their cameras on.”
Students will again leave campus on June 3 for summer break until school resumes next fall. A 100% student return to campus is what teachers and staff have been prepped for next fall, but a permanent decision hasn’t been made clear yet.
In the meantime, Pioneer teachers, students, and staff will continue to overcome difficulty after difficulty, making these last six weeks feel as normal as possible.
While some students remain online, the ones arriving in person have found themselves in class sizes as low as one, though other classes could include as many as seven or eight other students. When at break, students are required to have their masks on at all times except when eating or drinking and are encouraged to chat in smaller groups. Classroom doors and windows have also remained opened to support better airflow within the classroom.
As Pioneer is now open, many of the present students, like Nick Paolo, 9, feel that their academic focus and efficiency have only risen as a result of being in a quiet, encouraging school environment.
“[Going to school]turned out to be a lot better than I thought. My grades have already gone up a lot because it’s a lot easier to get your work done and the work environment is a lot quieter so it helps,” Paolo said.
Being physically present within a classroom has contributed to student’s success in evading repetitive distractions like using cell phones or falling down social media rabbit holes. Freshman Samantha Hoyt noticed that this time for her has been used towards completing school-related assignments and homework.
“I’m not tempted to be on my phone as much. I can do a lot more work in class so I don’t have as much homework,” said Hoyt.
While students continue to find their pace and place in this hybrid learning model, teachers are no strangers to adjusting on the go, having to adapt to classroom measures installed by the San José Unified School District.
Clear-rolling plastic dividers have been set up in each classroom for teachers to use when wanting to move around the classroom. Although many of them are starting to collect dust, it’s an option for teachers who want to interact with students while maintaining prioritized safety.
Many of the formerly used desks have also been taped off in strategy to maintain distancing for the few kids that are in each classroom. At the end of class, students are required to wipe down their seating area, mainly concerning the desks and chairs used. Windows have also been opened to increase the air-flow within the classroom.
Some teachers feel the presence of studentsin real classrooms has proven to be a more efficient learning model as it ensures students have access to immediate direction and guidance from their teachers, and Spanish teacher Jesús Lopez finds it helpful for getting direct feedback from students.
“I prefer students to be in my class versus teaching online because I can see them, I can work with them more directly, I can monitor, and I can give them immediate feedback versus at home where so often, students don’t answer on a timely manner and I don’t know if they are there or not because they don’t even turn their cameras on.”
Students will again leave campus on June 3 for summer break until school resumes next fall. A 100% student return to campus is what teachers and staff have been prepped for next fall, but a permanent decision hasn’t been made clear yet.
In the meantime, Pioneer teachers, students, and staff will continue to overcome difficulty after difficulty, making these last six weeks feel as normal as possible.