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    Fifth grader Branton Kirchner likes controlling his school schedule. SUBMITTED PHOTO
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    Eighth grader Lea Martin. SUBMITTED PHOTO
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    Senior Lauren Walker is learning the value of self motivation. SUBMITTED PHOTO
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    Seventh grader Tyler Youens. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Learning from home

Learning can be achieved in many ways: by first-hand experience, watching others, in the classroom, or as of now, using technology to get the points across by Zoom, YouTube, or other means not even thought of a decade ago.

Teachers too have been learning new ways. But what are the advantages or disadvantages according to WISD students, the ones that the teachers do it all for?

“I think there are good advantages and disadvantages. We can do things on our own schedule and we can spend more time with our family,” Branton Kirchner, a fifth grader at Jacob’s Well Elementary, said.

“The school has given us a Chromebook (electronic tablet) and then every two weeks we are given packets that are not on the internet. This week’s was five weeks worth. Five weeks leads us to the end of school,” he said.

He has the self-motivation to cover all his subjects, English, Math, History, Science and Writing. Once he receives his packet, he makes a schedule and tries to stick to it. That way he can tackle subjects one by one, like devoting a day to finishing a subject, and does not have to change every 40 minutes or so like a regular school day would require. Kirchner can spend time on one subject until he is satisfied he has the material down, then move onto the next, not worrying about having to finish it up before the next class.

Motivation is definitely a factor for all of us during this time.

“I’ll say to myself, if I can finish this one part, I can watch this show. Then breaks can also motivate me. But sometimes, I’ll let it wait until the next day and then double up.”

If there is a question, he can get the answers from his teacher.

“We meet with our teachers two or three times a week on Zoom. We ask questions and sometimes there is a theme to the meeting. It is usually fun,” Kirchner continued. “It’s not usual, but if a question comes up (not answered during the Zoom meeting) we’re able to call the teacher to get answers to the questions.”

But of course the human and social contact is desired and missing. “I miss my friends and teachers everyday. We’ll miss the field trip to Camp Champions, where we learn about the outdoors and can go rock climbing, and go lake swimming. We usually go to Schlitterbahn, but not this year.”

Seventh grader Tyler Youens echoes all of us when he says there is an advantage. “I enjoy sleeping in. But some days it’s harder when you are not there to get started.”

Zoom is also used for classes with teachers providing lessons and guidance. “In our weekly Zooms to check in, our teachers accept emails from us, some daily some weekly…my classes are English, Math and History. I’m still learning but not as well as in the classroom.”

Once he receives his packets, he also plans out his week. “I figure out the ones that are due and what are hard. Then I can spend all day on them or spread them out.”

His biggest complaint is the lack of a person-to-person experience.

“I don’t like not being able to be with the teacher and my friends.”

Eight grader Lea Martin thinks the present teaching situation is one new way to get information across. “Teachers are teaching new concepts. It’s weird to see teachers explain stuff and not physically teach. I email, I do that a lot, (when not in a Zoom meeting). Some teachers have office hours where you can meet (individually) face to face.”

Some of the good points include, ”I can do assignments for the entire week… On Monday I plan out all the week’s assignments. I can pace myself. I can do it in order if I want to… I have plans on what to do each day, all science today or plan on what I’m going to do that day or I’m going to do this week, step by step.”

Biggest drawback is, “not being able to (physically) see the teacher.”

Senior Lauren Walker believes the new learning process is working. “There’s been a couple of hiccups but it’s good now…I’m not missing anything now in Mr. Lindeman’s Biology class, we work at our own pace. He’s doing an amazing job. We covered all the stuff before the corona virus.’ As with all the students, “being able to learn at my own pace is good.”

But senior year is more than just learning high school classes as motivation. “There’s scholarships going on, with due dates. This means you are more flexible, and you can take your time on them.”

But working remotely at home there can be improvements. “I think one way is to improve is to use a structured schedule for students (for those who are not motivated by themselves.”

All in all, the current technological way puts more responsibility on each individual student, some who are not easily motivated. But with a little planning and organization, the hard work by the teachers and a little self-motivating, lessons can be learned. But the missing parts, that of being around friends and teachers, athletics and extracurricular activities can never be recaptured. But in these times, like in life itself, adapting to new and different situations is a constant, and something that students will be doing their whole lives. It is just another lesson learned.

Wimberley View

P.O. Box 49
Wimberley, TX 78676
Phone: 512-847-2202
Fax: 512-847-9054