With the move to distance learning, how is online school affecting our ACHS Visual and Performing Arts students? Is their performance impairing or improving?
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We all know that online school is a bit out of the ordinary. But could this possibly be the “new normal”?
In a survey conducted with students and visual/performing arts staff, I asked general questions about a possible Post-COVID environment and how distance learning is affecting their performance in online classes.
How do you feel about learning a visual/performing arts in online classes? Does it feel weird? Odd?
In regards to how students feel about visual/performing arts through online mediums, respondents similarly said that it is abnormal not being on stage or in a class, especially for classes like drama or orchestra/band in which they have to practice as a class. Some say the environment is boring or less enthusiastic, since student participation with an unmuted microphone is hard to come by.
According to one respondent, Phillp Atanacio says “I am in both Concert Choir and Chamber Choir. While it’s still fun to learn music by myself, I don’t enjoy it as much as when I’m in the choir room with all of my friends and performing on stage. Choir is the one thing I had in school that got me excited to go every day. I’m not as enthusiastic about logging into online classes.”
For my experience with online classes, I feel like it has taken the fun out of learning. It appears as though the student body does not feel as motivated as we used to. Applicable to both the visual/performing arts and the ACHS community, a common struggle is that we aren’t with our friends to motivate each other, and it is upon us at home to motivate ourselves.
“Choir is a class that depends upon community and sharing the sound in a particular moment. We are severely limited by technology. I love seeing my students' faces but I must admit they feel incredibly distant from me and what I'm doing in the choir room,“ says ACHS Choir teacher, Mr. Butler. “We are teaching and learning with ‘two hands behind our back’. We are missing opportunities for appreciating the aesthetic and for finding/enjoying community.”
How has online school affected our ability to practice, learn, and teach?
Online classes are definitely outside of the norm, but how does online classes affect students’ and teachers’ abilities? Respondents agreed that it is a bit overwhelming or difficult and some said they felt disconnected from their classmates. Some echoed this by saying that it’s hard to find motivation or produce consistent quality of work.
According to the University of Illinois, to “...participate in an online program, students must be well organized, self-motivated, and possess a high degree of time management skills in order to keep up with the pace of the course...students who are dependent learners and have difficulty assuming responsibilities…” meaning that students will have to be motivated and ready to learn despite strains in the limitations of technology, such as internet connection or crashes in the call.
For teachers, it can be challenging and forces them to find innovative ways to teach. However, distance learning comes with some positives, as it allows both the students and the teachers to adapt to change.
Are teachers and students having a harder time teaching/learning online?
Overall, social distancing and online learning has made it a bit hard on both students and teachers. On both sides, teachers will have to discover new ways to engage students and students will have to find ways to stay motivated.
One respondent who wished to remain anonymous said,
“I’m having a more difficult time learning online because I also have to help my siblings and still have to do my own stuff. I also feel like the teachers are having a hard time especially with everything going on and having to be able to teach in the mornings and later in the day because everyone is split so they have less time off. It’s also harder using technology like Zoom and having to deal with bad internet connection or the mic not working.”
Technology and the stresses at home can be factors that affect our wellbeing. Another respondent, Eloisa Marie Mercado says, “...teachers are not used to teaching over the screen, especially since we’ve never really used technology for these purposes. Students also have a difficult time with Wifi and devices. I admit that it’s pretty hard to focus with no physical motivation.”
Agreeing with these sentiments, I’ll admit that students are not looking as motivated than when we used to be physically there. Sometimes my teachers look overwhelmed in getting us engaged and learning, as it’s like their battery is being drained from this overstretch in these times.
Would it be better if we could practice/teach again in an in-school environment or stay safe at home? Thoughts about schools reopening, and having to attend class in a post-COVID-19 environment?
Some respondents found this question difficult, but provided reasonable responses. Safety for Staff and Students is the main concern for these responses.
In response, Mr. Butler says,
“Student and staff safety is the most important consideration. I would love to see my students in person but young people have a life to live after high school and I have a life to live outside of this classroom. Nothing is worth jeopardizing the health and wellness of our present and future.”
Reopening schools in a COVID-free environment will take some getting used to, especially with the gradual shift to how things used to be. It will take a balancing act and much compromise from the state, district, school, and its students. In the end, Visual/Performing Arts classes may look different as some classes like choir, band, art, or ceramics could work around physical distancing. Students and teachers alike agree that while the safety of everyone should be strongly considered, the arts are more crucial now to our school community than ever before.
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