´´At Oakland School for the Arts, our situation is slightly different from most other schools because ...´´--Daisha WIlliams, 10th Grade
The current situation of the world has interrupted day-to-day activities of school. At Oakland School for the Arts, our situation is slightly different from most other schools because we are an art school. Performance is a big part of our lives here and for some, it can feel as if that part of our lives has been put on hold. On top of that, our school is also experiencing things that teachers and students all over the world are also feeling.
Although there has been debate on this topic, right now it is mandatory that we students have our cameras on during class unless teachers specifically say otherwise. Because of this people now have a window into our homes. This can cause anxiety for students for a variety of different reasons such as the appearance of their surroundings or the setting in which they have to do schoolwork. When asked about this a Ms. Joshi replied, ¨It has been difficult to discuss whether teachers should be enforcing cameras on with their students in zoom class. Although I have asked for camera's on in my class, if a student feels uncomfortable, I always allow them to keep it off. As long as there is communication, I am fine either way. I don't believe in policing a student's home environment.¨ This exemplifies the leniency that has been granted. Technically students are supposed to have our cameras on for the entire class period, but many teachers are understanding and responding to students in the manner explained. In addition to what teachers are doing, having conversations about these worries can not only inform students and teachers, but help everyone to be more understanding of the situation.
Money now has a larger role in our school life relative to technology. Online learning has turned having a personal computer from an option to a necessity. Not only having one is required, but one advanced enough to access zoom to its fullest capability and other websites that teachers need students to be able to access. The school has tried to help by distributing chromebooks and hotspots to students who need them. Still, not every student had the option to go to campus to pick one up. And the ones who did, found that the computers are not very advanced. Students have complained about having spotty internet even with hotspots provided from the school. A lot of students and teachers are dealing with similar problems.
Ms. Treiu has responded to this situation with understanding saying, ¨The way that that is affecting teachers is the exact same way that it is affecting students. There are a couple teachers who only have their work computer as a computer. And our laptop computers were really old to begin with. Zoom is a new technology that requires things out of the computer that it just can't do…. It really is causing an additional separation in the achievement gap. People who already have access will continue to have great access. People who don't have a lot of access will really get stomped on by this. The other thing I guess we could do is just to make that more apparent. In terms of fundraising, it's a well known need but for some reason I haven't heard a lot of talk about it.¨
Fundraising is amazing as an idea. But with the teachers and administrators even more busy than normal due to the additional workload that online learning requires. Also, with the state of everything right now, what would that even look like? Something that could happen is a student led project so that burden isn't weighing on teachers and administrators along with everything else right now.
Of course, there is another aspect of this which is our arts classes. Although in some pathways things have not changed, several others have changed drastically. Half of our pathways at OSA are performance based, although some performances can be moved onto Zoom. However, that does not create the same experience for students. When parts of what creates passion for someone is taken away, it's possible that the person can lose their passion. But like everything, with the bad parts, there are also good parts. When asked about their emphasis classes Cassidy Kanner-Gomes replied with both the things they were enjoying and the things they are not enjoying, and said:
“The way it is set up right now we have the last period to just do whatever. Like practice hopefully. So that has been really nice. We get more time to focus on our
own stuff and get individual focus from the teacher. Group work has not been fun because with orchestra it's like what are we doing here, this doesn't work. We can't
play together. So it isn't too bad so far, but I am going to be really happy when I can do it with actual physical people.¨
There are lots of new students at OSA every year, and this one is no exception. But because we are all going to school online, it can be difficult to make lasting connections. Returning students are sympathetic with the additional struggles of being new this year but are not sure what could be done to help. Someone has suggested that students have non-school related zoom meetings prioritizing new students. That could be a really helpful event that they might appreciate.
Although online learning has had negative impacts on our school, there have also been positive ones too. The place that we are in right now is a good place to be and frankly it could be a lot worse. We have every part of our community to thank for that as without all of our individual efforts this might not have continued to be the wonderful loving place we know it to be. While things may not be ideal now, this experience is sure to pass and bring us all closer together in the future.
Although there has been debate on this topic, right now it is mandatory that we students have our cameras on during class unless teachers specifically say otherwise. Because of this people now have a window into our homes. This can cause anxiety for students for a variety of different reasons such as the appearance of their surroundings or the setting in which they have to do schoolwork. When asked about this a Ms. Joshi replied, ¨It has been difficult to discuss whether teachers should be enforcing cameras on with their students in zoom class. Although I have asked for camera's on in my class, if a student feels uncomfortable, I always allow them to keep it off. As long as there is communication, I am fine either way. I don't believe in policing a student's home environment.¨ This exemplifies the leniency that has been granted. Technically students are supposed to have our cameras on for the entire class period, but many teachers are understanding and responding to students in the manner explained. In addition to what teachers are doing, having conversations about these worries can not only inform students and teachers, but help everyone to be more understanding of the situation.
Money now has a larger role in our school life relative to technology. Online learning has turned having a personal computer from an option to a necessity. Not only having one is required, but one advanced enough to access zoom to its fullest capability and other websites that teachers need students to be able to access. The school has tried to help by distributing chromebooks and hotspots to students who need them. Still, not every student had the option to go to campus to pick one up. And the ones who did, found that the computers are not very advanced. Students have complained about having spotty internet even with hotspots provided from the school. A lot of students and teachers are dealing with similar problems.
Ms. Treiu has responded to this situation with understanding saying, ¨The way that that is affecting teachers is the exact same way that it is affecting students. There are a couple teachers who only have their work computer as a computer. And our laptop computers were really old to begin with. Zoom is a new technology that requires things out of the computer that it just can't do…. It really is causing an additional separation in the achievement gap. People who already have access will continue to have great access. People who don't have a lot of access will really get stomped on by this. The other thing I guess we could do is just to make that more apparent. In terms of fundraising, it's a well known need but for some reason I haven't heard a lot of talk about it.¨
Fundraising is amazing as an idea. But with the teachers and administrators even more busy than normal due to the additional workload that online learning requires. Also, with the state of everything right now, what would that even look like? Something that could happen is a student led project so that burden isn't weighing on teachers and administrators along with everything else right now.
Of course, there is another aspect of this which is our arts classes. Although in some pathways things have not changed, several others have changed drastically. Half of our pathways at OSA are performance based, although some performances can be moved onto Zoom. However, that does not create the same experience for students. When parts of what creates passion for someone is taken away, it's possible that the person can lose their passion. But like everything, with the bad parts, there are also good parts. When asked about their emphasis classes Cassidy Kanner-Gomes replied with both the things they were enjoying and the things they are not enjoying, and said:
“The way it is set up right now we have the last period to just do whatever. Like practice hopefully. So that has been really nice. We get more time to focus on our
own stuff and get individual focus from the teacher. Group work has not been fun because with orchestra it's like what are we doing here, this doesn't work. We can't
play together. So it isn't too bad so far, but I am going to be really happy when I can do it with actual physical people.¨
There are lots of new students at OSA every year, and this one is no exception. But because we are all going to school online, it can be difficult to make lasting connections. Returning students are sympathetic with the additional struggles of being new this year but are not sure what could be done to help. Someone has suggested that students have non-school related zoom meetings prioritizing new students. That could be a really helpful event that they might appreciate.
Although online learning has had negative impacts on our school, there have also been positive ones too. The place that we are in right now is a good place to be and frankly it could be a lot worse. We have every part of our community to thank for that as without all of our individual efforts this might not have continued to be the wonderful loving place we know it to be. While things may not be ideal now, this experience is sure to pass and bring us all closer together in the future.
