Zooming into Quarantine

By Alexandra m. ‘21

The coronavirus pandemic has instilled distance learning at all education levels across the country, and around the globe. In addition to universities closing across the country, an abundance of K-12 institutions have closed, including the Bryn Mawr School.  In the Bryn Mawr community, the majority of teachers throughout the entire school have been alternating between synchronous and asynchronous classes. During synchronous classes, teachers utilize Zoom which enables the students to engage in discussions with one another and the teacher while during asynchronous classes, students complete their assignments destined for that day. Each student has had an unique experience with distance learning thus far.  

  Numerous students have different opinions about the Bryn Mawr distance learning format and what they would like to alter about it. Karoline S. ‘21, alongside Sona K. ‘20, discussed how they would like to change when their first period classes begin, stating, “[We] believe when teachers hold synchronous classes at 8:00 a.m, a lot of students are not engaged rather than if we started the school day 1-2 hours later.” Michelle F. ‘21 and Lindsay T. ‘20, expressed their desire for  “more synchronous lessons and increased collaboration among students.” Especially with the lack of in person learning, having more synchronous classes will allow students to feel more connected with the class.

Overall, distance learning has impacted everyone’s learning experience this year for students of all ages. Grace W. ‘23 and Lindsay T. ‘20 conveyed how they, “wished [they] had shown more appreciation for being in school and around [their] peers.” Many students throughout quarantine have made these same realizations.

However, on a more positive note, there have been some pros to distance learning.  Anisha N. ‘22 explained how “[she] does not have to commute,” and considering it takes her approximately an hour to get to school, this has been very convenient for her and her family. Another common pro is that, in general, students have more flexibility and can take time to explore new opportunities or interests. 

To end on an optimistic and humorous note, I asked these students what their first activity would be after quarantine. Karoline S. ‘21 and Lindsay Thompson both said, “[We] would go to a central location where [we] can reunite with all of [our] friends,” and Anisha N. ‘22 and Sona K. ‘20 expressed how, “[We] would go out to eat with friends since we miss the physical company of people.”  Sona K. ‘20 added on to this by saying, “I have nothing really to spend my money on, so I can definitely afford to shell out some big bucks for a post-quarantine feast.” Finally, I gave the interviewees the final question: if Covid-19 was a living human, what would you say to him/her? Anisha N. ‘22 exclaimed that she would like for the Coronavirus to, “get on a spaceship and leave Earth,” while Michelle F. ‘21 questioned, “What were you doing inside a bat?”