Students evaluate a year of virtual learning

By Nick Vanburen

March 12, 2021

Colonie high students have been learning virtually for a year now. As the 2021-2022 year approaches, students are evaluating virtual learning and its effects.

Most fully virtual learners picked this learning style because it made them more comfortable, and there's no shock there since there have been nearly 100 cases of Covid in high school according to the South Colonie. Covid- 19 Report Card. This led many people, like Lee Dandoy, to shift to full virtual learning.

However, one of the biggest problems with virtual learning comes with distractions. At home there is much more students can get away with such as phone use, watching television or or playing video games.

Learning virtually also comes with the problem of understanding material. Tests are something that ninth grade student Tierra Reichel said she has problems with. Completing assignments independently is also a difficulty that ninth grader Kylee Kaleel has had with virtual learning.

Ninth graders, Samantha Boomhower and Ian Weinstock said they hate being online and miss going in everyday to see friends. This isn't easily fixable since most people are still afraid to come into the building due to the number of Covid 19 cases.

Since the pandemic is affecting how kids learn, teachers are being a little more accommodating. This has led to kids like Miles Felitte and Tierra Reichel to get better grades.

With virtual learning, another positive aspect is that students feel like they have more free time. When you're done, you are already home to do as you please.

This is another simple thing that many don't think about. If you are at school, when you are done with classes, you still have to get on the bus and head home.

Many students think that virtual learning can be improved. Their fixes vary widely but the majority of them boil down to wanting it to be more interactive. There isn't an easy fix and it's mostly on the teachers if they want to make virtual learning more interactive.

The future is unclear thanks to Covid 19 but many are hopeful for school to reopen. Emma Burick and Ashley Dandoy both said that they hope that schools reopen, especially if everyone gets vaccinated.

It's also important to get schools running again because many have missed out on clubs like Line ’n Cue and events this year like Raiderfest.