Items

• 
  2021-10-13

  Zoom University

  While my life has changed significantly due to the covid-19 pandemic, I would say that the biggest adjustment for me was adapting to the different methods of instruction at my university. As a college student, I was used to and grew comfortable with in person instruction. This was the method of learning that I partook my entire life; the sudden change to strictly online had significant effects on my academic performance and overall retention of material. For me, it was remarkedly more difficult to grasp concepts that I would have comprehended under normal study conditions. Taking science heavy courses such as organic chemistry, instrumental analysis, physics, and molecular biology were all much more difficult than they would have been normally. It is also prudent to note the inconsistencies of professors during this time period, as they had to adjust just as much (or even more) than students. Old-school professors that did not have experience with the newest technology were forced to orient their lecture material in a format completely foreign. Needless to say, professors who were very effective instructors in person often struggled in the zoom format. Specifically, issues related to zoom that affected the quality of teaching included connection issues and students having incentives to not pay attention. For example, I took biostatistics 1 completely online, where the professor was older and not technologically adept. Every class the professor would write notes on a paper and and show it to the class. This strategy for teaching proved to be ineffective because the quality of video was not definitive, the lighting was poor, and the handwriting was small. All of these combined factors led to an entire class who had no idea what was being taught to them. While this is unfortunate, I adapted by reading more of the textbook than I would under normal circumstances, and met with the professor during office hours to work out material that I did not understand.
• 
  2021-12-01

  Graduate Clinicians and Teletherapy

  I am currently a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders. Last year, student clinicians provided services entirely online through teletherapy. For clinicians, the transition to online was very difficult. It required relearning how to implement services that were just as engaging and effective as in-person therapy. For clients, some struggled immensely. Furthermore, sometimes the clients had trouble staying focused and supports could not be implemented the same way they normally would be in person. Some clients excelled online and have chosen to continue teletherapy even after in-person therapy was offered. For the future, I think SLPs and student clinicians will have to view the way they provide therapy differently. It is now expected that any clinician can successfully provide therapy in multiple different modes.
• 2020

  a year to reflect

  It allowed me a year to breathe. A year to focus on my family, gain new skill sets, and adapt in which way we operate.
• 
  2021-05-04

  Flight Class

  This is from an assignment in Paula Flynn's 5th grade class at Franklin Elementary School, in Santa Monica, CA. Being at my Flight class Light from the sun in the Simulator The sound of propellers from the simulation Why can't we go back sooner Happy focus Tencasity Focus Focus Focus
• 2021-01-15

  Remote Learning

  During the time in which we had to quarantine at we had to attend classes online. I would wake up, get ready for class in the morning then sit down at my desk and get on zoom. I had to be on my computer for over 6 hours. It was honestly pretty hard for me to stay focused and learn like I would in a classroom. What was nice about online school was that I had a lot more freedom than I would if I was at school. It was a lot harder to stay engaged in class because the abyss of online school and quarantine made everything blend together and made life really gloomy and repetitive. Life was the same every single day, there was nothing unique or exciting about my days. There was really nothing to look forward to.
• 2020-08-18

  My Experience with Virtual School

  My experience with virtual school was weird at first, but As I did it for longer, I eventually got into a pretty solid routine. I would wake up at 7:30 every day to get ready for school. I would go to school on zoom from 8:00 to 2:45. After that I would do my homework and sports practices. Then I would go to sleep and start the whole routine over again. The hardest part about virtual school for me was that it was hard to pay attention and stay focused throughout the whole class.
• 2021-01-15

  Virtual Learning During Covid-19

  At the beginning of 8th grade year, we were all virtually doing school which was hard to focus. My room is filled with so many things and it was hard for me to pay attention to the teacher on my screen. My computer had many mental breakdowns from overuse. A benefit is that I got to stay at my house all day, but it was hard to stay focused and engaged. I did not like virtual learning because everything was on the computer rather than on actual paper. I would much rather be in class for learning and school work.
• 2021-01-15

  my online school experience

  Online school isn't that bad. I get to be in the comfort of my own home and away from probably sick kids. I feel better that way anyway. It's definitely easier too. I'm more focused at home surprisingly. I don't want to do it forever though. Maybe just for this year and then I can be a freshman. It's a good experience and others make it seem like it's the worst. It's kind of harder to learn but, that's only if you dont want to. When people tell me it's just as bad for me since its my last year of middle school, I definitely dont think so. I'm happy to leave and at least my last year of middle school is more interesting than others.
• 2021-01-15

  Online Learning

  While learning online during COVID-19 there where many differences to normal school. I would wake up at sometime between 7:15 and 7:30 and I would go and eat and be at school online by 8:05 and everyone in class would be tired from waking up so early. One of the obstacles faced from learning on time where that it was hardy to pay attention and be really engaged with the class because there wasn't somebody right there making sure you are paying attention. One of the benefits of learning online was that we got more sleep and we had more time to do homework because you didn't have to drive home after school, it was easier to feel motivated to do homework at break because what else could you do, and the classes had longer periods so you had time to work on homework in class.
• 
  2021-01-06

  The Work Desk

  I care about my work environment. It's the place where I can focus, work and study. In college, I loved having the freedom of multiple locations being open to me to go and work. If my dorm was too loud, I could go to the library. If the cafeteria wasn't packed, I could pull out my laptop and get some homework done. But COVID-19's changed that, to the point where I only have one place. In my room, in my old desk I used back in high school. With everyone being home, it's loud, and the walls are thin. I can hear the TV blaring my dad's news in the living room, my brother playing his guitar in the next room over, my mom playing her music in the kitchen and our parakeets' chirps from the dining room. It's loud, and I can't focus. Yet this is where I must work, the only place I have left. No more physical classes, no more library, no more independent living. Back at home in my old desk.
• 
  2020-05-31

  Rest of the World asking for U.S. help

  The rest of the world collectively decided that coronavirus is the most important thing that is happening at the moment, and that it will take a global response to get things under control. The U.S., as part of the global community, was supposed to chip in and do its share to flatten the curve and get things under control. We also just happen to be trying to dismantle systemic racism at the same time.
• 
  4/29/2020

  Ramadan in Quarantine

  Ramadan began on Friday April 24th, in the middle of a pandemic. Muslims around the world are used to congregating at the mosque every night for the duration of the month. They gather to pray together and listen to the recitation of the Holy Qur’an. This year’s Ramadan experience is very different. Although we miss going to the mosque and praying with friends, this month is truly special because the quarantine is allowing us to focus on our relationship with God, with no distractions. It’s a blessing that we are safe and healthy, at home with family, and still able to fast and worship. In this picture, my brother, who has memorized the Holy Qur’an, is leading my family in prayer. One verse he recited on this night can be translated as: “But God is your protector, and He is the best of helpers (3:150).” This was a beautiful reminder to trust in God during these difficult times, as He is the One who provides and cares for us.