How Are You Going To School This Year?

Everyone can agree that the past eight months may not have been the most desirable, and with the continuous spread of COVID-19, many students are wondering how they will attend school. Through hopes of adapting to the unfortunate circumstances, Osceola County provided parents and their children an alternative for returning to school in 2020: online schooling! Most students had a taste of this at the end of the last school year, so this option is not too unfamiliar. However, similar to going to school in person, new standards and routines may be implemented to last the semester. The following interviews are from two students that have opposing thoughts on the subject.

Virtual-Learning Option

The first interview was with a student who has chosen to stay home for the first semester of the 2020–2021 school year. The name remains anonymous, but their opinions are clear. Since they have already experienced the nature of virtual school, they’ve spoken on their experience. According to him/her, online learning is both safer and more efficient for their schedules. Although there are setbacks such as not having all the resources in one location, staying online helps them stay energized with the efficient schedule. Read “Virtual-Learning Option Interview” below for more information.

In-Person Learning Option

The next interview explores why going back to school in person isn’t such a bad idea. Once again, the speaker remains anonymous for the protection of their identity. They chose to go back to NeoCity instead of staying at home for the first semester of the 2020–2021 school year. They claim that going back to school in real life is an advantage for them. Not only will it push them back to their regular school schedule, but they can interact with more people. However, they are still at risk because there is currently no vaccine for the virus. He/she says that students will try to stay safe by following the rules and wearing masks at all times. Read the “In-Person Schooling option interview” below for more information.

Summary

There were two anonymous people interviewed for their insight on virtual and in-person schooling. The first interview was with someone who picked the virtual option. They have already experienced the virtual environment during the last quarter of the 2019–2020 school year. They believe that learning online is safer and more efficient for their schedules. However, there are setbacks such as the lack of lab resources and less socializing time.

On the other hand, the latter interview gives the perspective of a student who will be attending school in person. This anonymous speaker believes that they gain a personal advantage going to school in person as: they may have a set schedule, learn easier with teachers to guide them, and interact with more people. Even with the upsides, this student knows that they are at risk and will try to stay safe by following the COVID-19 guidelines and wearing masks at all times.

Hopefully students understand the pros and cons of the two options. The interviews shown in this article may have given them a better feel for what their classmates are experiencing this fall. It’s important to understand the different factors when choosing virtual or in-person school since the traditional routine has been changed. In the end, it’s best for students to pick the option that ensures safety and a good learning experience.

Originally published at https://knighttimesnews.com.