The Virtual Fall Semester
Shenell Logan '23 Staff Writer
On July 16th, 2020, a message was sent out to the Howard County Public School System announcing the approval of distance learning for students until the second semester. Along with the announcement of students going back to a virtual classroom, a new 4x4 sample schedule was introduced. Students are to take four classes a semester — a total of eight classes for the year — instead of the usual seven.
As we enter the fifth week of school, Howard High is becoming acclimated to the new schedule and distance learning. Of course, many students, teachers and faculty members have different opinions on this new way of schooling.
According to numerous students, the resounding advantage of the 4x4 schedule is the fact that there are fewer classes to worry about for the semester. Therefore, there is more time to complete homework and projects with a heightened focus on what their teachers are asking them to accomplish. There is also the point that students and their families will be able to save money this semester. According to the National Retail Federation, “households will spend [on average] over $117 on standard classroom supplies, nearly $136 on shoes and nearly $240 on clothing” during back-to-school shopping. This semester, the only school supplies Howard County students need are a computer - available free from the school system - and a few specialty items distributed by the schools. As students study fewer classes each semester, the 4 period semester schedule has reduced the number of students in each class. Mr. Kaplan, who teaches American Government, says, “From a teacher’s perspective, we have less students to grade.”
However, the lesser amount of classes ultimately connotes more schoolwork in the semester, which — as many have deduced — can be very stressful for students, as well as teachers. “It is a lot of work moving to the 4x4 schedule because of the asynchronous modules we create. We also have to condense our curriculum into four, 45-minute classes for half a year rather than a full year with 54 minutes five days a week,” Mr. Kaplan adds.
With the condensed curriculum, will students be able to retain the lessons being taught to them? Jen Zenker, who is a sophomore, says, “For some of the classes, it depends on the way that the teacher teaches it. For most people though, it might not matter because the teachers are trying to teach kind of fast since we don’t have as much time as before.”
After being asked if and how distance learning is more stressful than in-person learning, sophomore Marie Kim responded, “Oh for sure. You don’t have the help that you need directly. You have to wait for emails or something else. You also have too many distractions at home. And every homework assignment is due on Monday.” Junior Madison Russell said during an interview, “Distance learning is definitely more stressful and [makes it] harder to keep up with work.” Sophomore Ava Gallagher adds, “Even with having Wednesday off, there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done by Monday.”
As we enter the fifth week of school, Howard High is becoming acclimated to the new schedule and distance learning. Of course, many students, teachers and faculty members have different opinions on this new way of schooling.
According to numerous students, the resounding advantage of the 4x4 schedule is the fact that there are fewer classes to worry about for the semester. Therefore, there is more time to complete homework and projects with a heightened focus on what their teachers are asking them to accomplish. There is also the point that students and their families will be able to save money this semester. According to the National Retail Federation, “households will spend [on average] over $117 on standard classroom supplies, nearly $136 on shoes and nearly $240 on clothing” during back-to-school shopping. This semester, the only school supplies Howard County students need are a computer - available free from the school system - and a few specialty items distributed by the schools. As students study fewer classes each semester, the 4 period semester schedule has reduced the number of students in each class. Mr. Kaplan, who teaches American Government, says, “From a teacher’s perspective, we have less students to grade.”
However, the lesser amount of classes ultimately connotes more schoolwork in the semester, which — as many have deduced — can be very stressful for students, as well as teachers. “It is a lot of work moving to the 4x4 schedule because of the asynchronous modules we create. We also have to condense our curriculum into four, 45-minute classes for half a year rather than a full year with 54 minutes five days a week,” Mr. Kaplan adds.
With the condensed curriculum, will students be able to retain the lessons being taught to them? Jen Zenker, who is a sophomore, says, “For some of the classes, it depends on the way that the teacher teaches it. For most people though, it might not matter because the teachers are trying to teach kind of fast since we don’t have as much time as before.”
After being asked if and how distance learning is more stressful than in-person learning, sophomore Marie Kim responded, “Oh for sure. You don’t have the help that you need directly. You have to wait for emails or something else. You also have too many distractions at home. And every homework assignment is due on Monday.” Junior Madison Russell said during an interview, “Distance learning is definitely more stressful and [makes it] harder to keep up with work.” Sophomore Ava Gallagher adds, “Even with having Wednesday off, there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done by Monday.”