Students at Morton East are divided on the effectiveness of remote learning for classes.

According to the New York Times learning network, currently, many students across the nation are facing new challenges during remote learning. Previously, many students still attended school in person. Since COVID-19 started to spread throughout the country back in March, schools started to switch to remote learning to protect students. Recently, schools all around the U.S. are struggling to figure out whether to reopen their doors during a pandemic. In a random poll of 22 Morton East students, 12 students reported that they wanted to go back to school in person. 

“Remote learning still allows student interaction, although not enough students turn on their camera during virtual learning,” principal Jose Gamboa said.     

Remote learning has caused limited interactions between students and teachers during online classes.    

“I think in some ways it’s easier, especially with the teachers who are helpful in transitioning to a lighter workload, especially combined with the lack of extra-curricular activities at the moment but with teachers who don’t want to make any changes, they make it a lot harder than in-person school would be,” senior Emily Velasquez said. 

Teachers have been struggling to accommodate the new norm of remote learning.

“Remote learning is convenient for safety although in-person learning is much better because of more students participating while being in the classroom and limits options for teachers since many activities are done much better in person opposed to virtual learning,” principal Jose Gamboa said. 

Several schools are sticking with remote learning to protect the health of their students and staff.

“When COVID-19 hit the states back in March, I thought remote learning was going to be a short memory of how we had to learn in school for the rest of the year until we had a vaccine. But the vaccine never came, and it still hasn’t. This school year, remote learning has been tough because there are days your computer decides to act on you, and that can cause you to come late to your class or be marked down as absent. Also, sitting on a chair for 7 hours has an effect on your mental health,” senior Christian Lezama said. 

Remote learning has caused many issues and distractions for students at home.

“I don’t like remote learning personally because in my household there are multiple people using the internet causing me to have connection issues during class,” senior Fernando Garcia said. 

Even with its flaws, remote learning gives students the ability to attend classes at home.”

“Online learning will become an option for many students who can’t come to school such as students with medical issues which open up opportunities for students who couldn’t attend school in person previously,” principal Jose Gamboa said. 

Schools will continue remote learning for students who aren’t able to attend school physically.