The Amphitheater School District went back to the remote learning model for all schools on January 4, 2021. Students are now required to attend every class via Zoom for the whole class period everyday. Adjusting to a schedule like that after a two week break has proven to be a difficult undertaking.

Ashley Bolt, a freshman at IRHS, says, “I think having zoom classes every period is really draining because we just sit on our computers all day, and then we get assigned a lot of homework after being online all day.”

Online learning, as students have recently experienced, has varying strengths and weaknesses. On one hand, teachers have noticed that different students perform and respond differently to online learning as opposed to in person learning. Similar to how students have different learning styles, they react differently to a significant switch, like switching from a hybrid to a remote schedule. 

In addition to that, in many cases, student’s grades reflect their aptitude for whichever model of learning they feel most comfortable with. 

A study done at Fort Valley State University says, “Both modalities have been proven to be relatively effective, but the question to be asked is if one is truly better than the other.”

While most students and teachers believe that the online model that IRHS has instigated for learning is a safer way to learn due to Covid, some believe that it can be more detrimental when compared to the normal way of learning. 

One of the good things about online learning is that students can work from the comfort of their own home and at their own pace. On the downside, it is easier for a student to be disorganized or, if a student is a dependent learner, they don’t have they don’t have the attention that they need for good academic practice. This makes it easier for students to fall behind. 

From a teacher’s standpoint, it is a difficult transition because they have had to suddenly change their curriculum or teaching style to be able to do everything remotely. Especially if their class is a subject where participation or examples are needed in most of their lessons. 

No one can deny that the effects of online learning on IRHS students and students across the nation are immense. A lot of studies have shown all of the mental health problems that have stemmed from the stress of online learning. 

Mental health is already a huge issue with high school and teenagers already and the increased workload that online learning possess is not making it any better. Many students will attest to the fact that the online learning environment can add another layer of stress to the school work they already have to do. On top of sports, extracurriculars, and all of the stuff going on in the world, more stress is the last thing students need in their lives. Understandably, some parents are concerned about the amount of time the students are required to be online. 

If you are experiencing stress or depression, reach out to your counselor: https://www.amphi.com/domain/2601

“Students talked a lot about really missing being in person with their classmates, with their colleagues, with their faculty members, and having those spontaneous, organic conversations and relationships,” says Rayane Alamuddin, an associate director of research and evaluation at Ithaka S+R on her study of students experiencing social isolation during lockdown. 

In the end, the online model at Ironwood has been in the interest of student and staff safety. The district has been doing everything to put the health of the students and faculty above anything else, which is very important. Students need to speak up or talk to their teachers if they are truly struggling with their online work and schooling. School does not need to be a source of stress in an already stressful period.