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virtual learning
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2020-10-14
What I Wish I'd Known Seven Months Ago
I wrote this essay to help make sense of my feelings and experiences during the pandemic. -
2020-10-08
How Covid-19 took over the world
It has been such a crazy time witnessing how this pandemic has evolved these past couple of months. I clearly remember how queasy I felt once I heard that there was a positive case confirmed at my university. The environment around campus just seemed a bit odd; everyone felt confused, anxious, and even a bit fearful. At that moment, people really didn’t use masks and were downplaying the virus as if it wasn’t anything to worry about. This made me feel a bit hesitant to wear a face mask since I didn’t want people to think I seemed too exaggerating. As the days passed, the number of positive cases drastically increased not only on campus, but around the world as well. At that point I knew it wasn’t a simple virus and that I shouldn’t care about others’ opinions in regard to face masks. I started to be very precautious and wear my face mask everywhere I went. Eventually, the transition to virtual classes was instituted and I got to stay home for the rest of the school year. Although I felt safe staying inside, the news and social media was very successful at causing anxiety in my household. It was very overwhelming to hear the progression of this virus and how many people were losing their lives because of the pandemic. This made going out to buy groceries such a fearful experience, especially since not everyone used their masks which could have exposed so many people to this deadly virus. I remember asking myself, will wearing a mask become the new norm in this society, will we have to get used to carrying face masks everywhere we go just like our purse or identification card? I remember learning about the bubonic plague, or the Spanish flu in my history classes, but I never imagined I would experience a pandemic myself. -
2020-10-08
In the times of a Pandemic
The year of 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone. No matter if your young, old, rich, poor, a new born, or a high school student. Things has been pretty tough. The world introduced to a virus that could kill people known as the Corona Virus. Into the 4th month of the year, children were forced to stay home, and the working class unless they were an essential worker were moved to work from home. Who would have thought that big companies would have majority of their workers take advantage in the work from home program. Many Americans had found themselves taking on new challenges that they didn't think they were ready for. Children are no longer going to school, but instead they are learning through a virtual experience. Their parents are not only working from home, but also taking on a second role as teacher to help their children. This year has been a whirlwind for many, but through meditation and allowing our lungs to be filed with the air that we breath, everything takes a standstill. With this being said, I have found new hobbies and ways to help my well being in this chaotic year. I chose to highlight the Namaste photo because it represents the fact that we need to all take a deep breath and say everything is going to be okay. I hope that you can do the same by breathing in and out, and focusing on the good! -
2020-09-14
Deaf students at Arizona school will learn virtually, but not without obstacles
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, students are adjusting to their new normal when it comes to online classes, virtual events and social distancing to prevent the spread of the disease. But for deaf and hard of hearing students in Arizona public schools, as well as for many more enrolled in private schools, these adjustments introduce new barriers to communication and learning. Last year, according to the Arizona Department of Education, 1,622 deaf or hard of hearing students were in public schools. Sequoia Deaf School, part of the Edkey Inc. charter school group in Mesa, had 52 students enrolled in grades K through 12 for the 2020-21 school year. Its experience navigating the pandemic illustrates some of the challenges deaf students face, such as difficulty reading lips and faces behind masks, the shorter attention spans of young deaf students and the loss of their nurturing school community. -
2020-09-13
Music Education During a Pandemic
Music has been a big part of my life ever since I was young. I picked up the violin in second grade, and my involvement in the music industry has only grown since then. This year is my senior year as a music education major in college; however, in light of the pandemic, I am anxious about what the future holds for music. Music class is very different from other classes that students may have throughout the day. While it is more feasible for a math or science class to be completely online, with live-streamed lessons and online assignments, these concepts are not so easy for a music class. With a large ensemble, it is almost impossible for the teacher to actually hear their students play in an online format. Many schools are using Zoom, which is great for the virtual classroom, however it tends to have a significant audio lag. Due to this problem, music ensembles cannot actually all rehearse at one time. Many music teachers have dealt with this problem by requesting that students mute themselves and then play along to a pre-recorded track that the teacher will prepare for them; however, with this barrier, the teacher will never be able to hear their students play all together, which is a crucial part of an ensemble rehearsal to assure that everyone is fully understanding the music. Not only are large ensemble rehearsals affected by these restrictions, but also the elementary general music classroom. In elementary general music, singing is a crucial part of the curriculum. At a young age, students need to be able to start singing so that they are able to start developing a knowledge of pitch and rhythm. At this stage of brain development, it is crucial for students to be able to have this aural experience in person. However, in many areas of the country, singing in a public space has been completely banned. This causes a big problem for music educators because there are so many concepts that they cannot teach without being able to sing with their students. I am in no way stating that the measures being taken in light of the pandemic are unnecessary; I believe that COVID should be taken very seriously and completely understand why it is that these restrictions need to be put in place for educators everywhere to keep the staff and students safe. However, it is frustrating to know that some people are blatantly not following guidelines, which is causing a delay in reopening schools, and because of this, an entire industry is being affected. So many musicians work off of the profit they get from live concerts alone. However, absolutely no concert halls will be able to reopen until we have this disease under control. During the time of the pandemic, I worry for what is going to happen to the music industry, and how this is going to take a toll on music programs all over the country. -
2020-08-30
Deaf students at an Arizona school will go virtual, but not without obstacles
By Katelyn Keenehan/Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship -
2020-06-25
Should we buy school clothes or pajamas?
When the covid-19 pandemic hit the U.S. almost all schools sent students home and continued school through virtual learning online or by offering education packets for drop off/pick up. It's the end of June and many school still have not announced their plan for this fall. Will students be returning to the school building to resume learning as usual? Will they be going part time? Will they continue learning from home? Will parents remove their children from public school and start homeschooling them? No one really knows yet. This meme struck me as very funny for this reason. -
2020-04-06
Behind-the-Scenes Tech Team Ensures Continuity of Learning
Like students, faculty, and staff, the IT team is adjusting to new working conditions, yet the group remains resolute in its mission. Dahlia Bryan personifies what it's like for many members of the University community working from home. She's operating out of an attic office, flanked by her two young sons who are doing schoolwork. But when someone needing tech support calls, "I put my headset on and tell the boys that 'mommy has to work and to keep quiet,' but there are times when I know the people I'm talking with can hear them in the background." said Bryan. -
2020-04-14
Lab Work Without a Laboratory
Science lab courses are continuing, so professors are finding a wide variety of ways to conduct them virtually. Creation of online Physics labs was accelerated when signs of a pandemic appeared; an astronomy lab that was to take place in the Canary Islands went online, an ecology lab shifted gears so students could study nature at home, and more. "We are doing our best to reach the same learning goals, but it requires a lot of creativity and hard work," said Chemistry and Biochemistry Professor Melanie Berkmen. -
2020-04-10
The Humanities Respond to the Pandemic
Far from sitting on the sidelines and waiting for the world to return to normal--or assume the shape of a new normal--Suffolk writing and theater faculty are using the pandemic as a teachable moment and bringing their varied expertise to bear in the effort to improve society's resilience in the face of the current health crisis -
2020-04-21
Performing Arts Keeps Tradition Alive
For nearly half a century the Suffolk community has gathered to celebrate Suffolk arts and culture with a fun-filled variety show. The show has taken a variety of formats over the year and at one time even featured a baking competition. This year, for the first time ever, SpringFest will be happening in homes around the world. Find out where to tune in for the show at 7 p.m. Friday, April 24. "We made a 'show-must-go-on' decision," said Suffolk Performing Arts Director Kristin Baker. "We reached out to students, faculty, staff, and alumni across the globe, and they have responded to the call. In a lot of ways, this event has showcased who we are at Suffolk, honoring our traditions while being flexible enough to adapt to new circumstances. We are creatively pulling together as a community to support one another."