This year due to COVID-19, the school district decided to use a hybrid model for student learning. Although there are multiple benefits to this model, we feel that it only hurts student learning. 

For most students, homework is just about “checking boxes.” We are trying to get our homework done by the due date, instead of focusing on the learning. This leads to a lot more cheating than usual. Students use each other and the Internet to get their work done. That way they will still get good grades with minimal effort.

Another factor that affects student learning is the abundance of work that we are having to teach ourselves. Notes are given to us on virtual days, and time in class is spent on ideas from the notes, but it is not as in-depth as it usually would be. There are fewer hands-on learning opportunities, which can  negatively affect student learning. There is a lot less one-on-one time with teachers because the classes are 28 minutes. When we are at home, it is easy to become distracted by phones, friends, family, and furballs. Then it’s test day and students don’t know the answers to the questions because they aren’t as prepared as they should be. We don’t learn from our mistakes on tests because we don’t have enough time to go over them together with the teacher. 

The hybrid model was created with student safety in mind. The student body was split in half to allow students to attend school on alternating days. On Fridays, there are no students in school so the school can be sanitized. Although this model keeps our students safe, it is not the best option for our learning.

Clearly there are some issues with the hybrid model and its impact on student learning. Students need to work with teachers until a better solution is found. Our future is dependent on the education we receive in high school, so our best option is to get into full-time in-person learning again as soon as safely possible.