Photo Courtesy of Jake Juenger

Working on his online physical education homework, senior Jake Juenger finishes his last couple assignments of his high school career. Juenger felt as though eLearning was a waste of time. “The only change in my methods is that I no longer do any of my homework or assignments because I feel like the work I am doing online won’t affect anything for what I need for college,” Juenger said.

Due to the Coronavirus epidemic, students and teachers have transitioned to a new way of learning through technology. 

The class of 2020 seniors got an unusual send off to college with having to finish their last months of high school virtually. 

“The switch has killed all motivation I had for finishing senior year,” senior Jake Juenger said. “It feels like the last 12 years of my life has been a giant waste of time and effort.”

This epidemic is also affecting teachers trying to make new lesson plans for students.

“I miss the interaction with my students, I miss the light bulb moments, the funny moments and the brain breaks we take,” math teacher Ruth Knop said. “eLearning is doable, but I value the human interaction that occurs each day in our classrooms.”

Teachers are finding ways to par down information and teach the most important concepts for the remainder of the semester.

“Not seeing my kids face to face, not knowing if they are choosing to tune out or just don’t understand and aren’t asking for help [is the hardest part],” science teacher Colleen O’Toole said. “When I saw the classes every day, I could gage that and find ways to mitigate the situation, but I cannot do that from behind a computer screen with no real interaction with everyone.”

With the workload not being as much for students, they find eLearning to be easier and there isn’t as much pressure as regular schooling.

“Teachers are only allowed to give you so much work for the week, so a majority of the assignments don’t take a lot of time to complete,” freshmen Victoria Neeser said. “Since some classes don’t take that long to finish, it allows me to work ahead in other classes.”

With eLearning, students and teachers find themselves with a lot of free time and are trying to find ways to spend it.

“I’ve been doing a lot of volleyball drills with my sister and my dad. On the other hand, when it’s not as nice, my family and I like to watch movies together, play games and cook,” Neeser said. “It’s nice because I get to spend a lot more time with my family, and I have way more free time with eLearning than regular school.”

When teachers are not making new lesson plans, they are also looking for ways to pass time as well.  Duncan shares what kids should do during this tough time.

“[I have been spending] a lot of time with my family–exercising, fishing and doing a long list of things around my house and yard. I am hoping to start playing some golf soon,” P.E. teacher Jeff Duncan said. “Get into a daily routine. Wake up early, get your school work done, get out and exercise, help out around the house and for sure check in on all of your friends. We live in a pretty busy world.  Maybe this has provided some a chance to slow down.”