Most schools across the nation have been shut down until further notice to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

 Recently, the Governor of Colorado, Jared Polis, decided to suspend in-person learning for the remainder of the school year in many school districts like Jeffco public schools, Littleton public schools, Westminster public schools, etc.

Around the world, several of students from kindergarten to universities and colleges are learning from home virtually, this includes over 70 million in the U.S. alone. Some students can’t connect with teachers from home, and there are many reasons as to why this is. The main reason for this is, they either don’t have internet access or they don’t have a device to connect from. According to an article, As Classes Move Online During COVID-19, What Are Disconnected Students To Do? by Brookings, it states, “The ‘homework gap’ has left millions of students without broadband unable to complete their assignments at home.” This could impact how students learn and won’t have the advantage to keep on gaining knowledge from under their own roofs. Although, the majority of students do have the benefit of virtually learning without having to worry about any issues.

   There have been positive and negative opinions on remote learning. Some students are happy and some students are upset, especially seniors because they won’t get to experience their prom or graduation. AP exams have also been rescheduled to different dates because of the coronavirus. Instead of students taking their exams in school gyms or test centers, they will take their exams from home. AP exams are expected to be open book and open note.

 See, students have the choice of doing the assignments that are assigned to them in online classes, but who knows if they will get anything done. Remote learning could be a good idea, but there are others that might think otherwise. Students can feel overwhelmed by this world wide pandemic and it could lead to them not getting their work done or turned in when they’re supposed to. A senior, Ofelia Moreno, who attends Jefferson High School expressed her opinion on remote learning. “I think it’s unfair for students who need more help with work and can’t get that done one on one with teachers,” she stated. I couldn’t agree with her more. There are students who all learn differently and those who struggle with it depend on help from teachers. 

Ofelia Moreno also stated, “I didn’t think I’d make it to my senior year. Now that I’m on track for graduation, everything is cancelled and it feels like I wasted my hopes on something. I planned so much for these next two months and I can’t anymore. I was going to take these months to make memories but now that has become impossible.” I can’t imagine what seniors are going through and they are the ones whom have been mostly affected by the closure of school for the rest of the year and it is deeply saddening. 

On the other hand some have miscellaneous emotions about remote learning. Wheat Ridge High School science teacher, Margaret Rayner explained, “I have mixed feelings. I think that the learning curve right now is steep for everyone! And it’s forced some people to go ‘online’ perhaps a bit before they were ready.” The closure of schools and remote learning was so unexpected that many learners and teachers weren’t ready for it. She added, “But overall I think it’s a good thing, because it needed to happen eventually – just maybe not so suddenly. Definitely the circumstances aren’t good, but maybe there’s a silver lining here!” 

In my opinion, I believe that remote learning is a good idea to keep on teaching students from home. It is helpful because students still have the chance to experience meaningful support from teachers. Like Rayner said, the circumstances don’t look so good, but we should always have hope. This isn’t something that is going to last forever, and it’s just a matter of time before we get back to our regular lives. This will be over before we know it and sooner or later we’ll find our way out of this darkness into the light of a brand new day.