How Social Distancing
Impacts Instruction
20 | SLAS TIMES by Jamie Hallowes
Teachers had to adjust how they prepare for classes due to the social distancing protocol resulting from the pandemic . Teachers these days mainly assign more online work , and they limit group work .
Mr . van West , the journalism and digital media teacher , said that using more technology helps create safe distance . He modifies his lessons to “ avoid excessive in-person group work ,” and tries to “ make everything work in-person and online in case anyone can ’ t make it to class .” He also made steps toward having a paper-free class .
Because seats are fixed a meter apart , teachers have had to revise their classes to involve less group work . Science teacher Mr . Brian Delsandro said that he was concerned when the social distancing measures were first put in place , since the majority of his classes involved group work . He went on to say , “ MS Teams has been integral to keeping that aspect of my courses alive .”
The COVID-19 pandemic causes uncertainty in the world , and educators consider that . English teacher Ms . Jacobs said that social distancing has forced her to be more “ versatile and flexible ” in finding more ways to make classes engaging . She has had to incorporate technology into her classes more by making online assignments and using MS teams to reach students who have yet to return to Shanghai .
Social distancing has changed school life outside of classes as well . Mr . van West mentioned that the protocol caused many events to be canceled , which presents problems for school yearbooks and magazine event photography . As a result , the journalism team has focused more on honing their graphic design and online communication skills .
Grade 9 student Kate Norraine Cabante said that there are considerable differences in classrooms , such as “ staying a meter apart , often opening windows , rarely doing group work , and always wearing masks .”
Another grade 9 student Ella Oh said that having desks separated by one meter and the lack of faceto-face discussions “ makes class more boring .”
SLAS has not yet reported a coronavirus case in its community , which speaks for the measures . Despite the protocol being inconvenient both in and out of the classroom , students and teachers recognize its usefulness .