Hey Everyone,
I felt this would be a great place to have an open discussion on the current Corona Virus Pandemic. I understand if you don't feel comfortable discussing this in an open setting but I feel getting other perspectives on this situation we are all currently dealing with would be great.
I know for me this pandemic has been overwhelming as I'm sure it has for most if not all of you. I for one am not too happy about moving to virtual learning, even though I know its for our safety. Call me "old-fashioned" but I feel I learn more and I am more on top of my school work when I have a set schedule of going to class on a daily basis. I know I procrastinate a lot when I'm home being that I have so many options to do other things. Also, with this change, many of my classes which I did not take midterms for have moved them to essays that are all due on the same day. Yes, Professor Talbird has been kind enough to give me an extension, but many professors I have are not as understanding. Also, I am in my final semester and have saved my 2 required gym classes for this semester and now I wish I hadn't. For one of my gym classes, I am required to video myself on a weekly basis doing volleyball training with or without a ball and these training session videos need to be a minimum of 30 minutes long. I know it is the only way to know we are keeping up with that gym class but I don't know how I feel about recording myself playing volleyball with no ball for at least 30 minutes long. Also, my workplace has been shut down so I currently have no source of income. I know this is probably a common occurrence with all that is going on but honestly, it isn't just about the income. I worked at an afterschool program at a public elementary school and even though sometimes the kids drive me crazy being able to go to work and spend time with these kids knowing I am making an impact on their young lives gives me purpose.
Let me know (if you feel comfortable) how this has affected you.
I totally agree with overwhelming. I feel the same way. My job is not closed yet, but I don't really want to go out and risk the chance of bringing the virus home to my father who is in a high risk group. This whole situation has my anxiety on a thousand! Im constantly checking my emails for updates, scared I'm missing work that a prof has uploaded, scared to go out, its awful. I hate staying inside all day doing nothing but school work, but this is all of our lives for the time being. I hope this situation ends soon in a positive way. Has anybody been shopping lately? Lines are awful!
ReplyDeleteI think you’re completely right, and I think everyone’s perspectives and experiences will play a key role in keeping us informed, maybe even save lives. Think about the advantage of information sharing (imagine if people had that capability in 1918 during the Spanish flu pandemic). Obvious downsides are evident every day – misinformation spreads like a virus too, but I think open discussion is a protective measure against that if we all value good information. We’re gonna need it.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, in regards to the shift from in-person to online learning, it may seem “old fashioned,” but many studies support the benefits of in-person instruction. We can still create the conditions of in-person learning with web chat platforms like Zoom (I was part of a Zoom meeting the other day, it’s no replacement for face-to-face interaction, but it is a really good substitute in my opinion). I remember the abandonment I felt when I got a notification from one of my professors informing us that he simply wouldn’t do any online instruction and just provided us with some PDFs for the remainder of the semester. I understand, he’s older, and I’m sure there are some barriers to learning this new method of instruction in such a short period of time, so it doesn’t actually bother me that much. I feel for you all that have really confusing or conflicting demands from professors. This is just not a thing we all were prepared for, and I’m sure adjustments can always be made. You just have to ask. We’ll probably have to be doing that a lot these days. Advocating ceaselessly for our needs.
One of my oldest friends works in a hospital in the Bronx. She’s there right now, and what she is describing to me is honestly terrifying. I worry for her every day, and my sister, who she shares an apartment with. My partner still has to work at his retail job (I’m convincing them to mutiny). Because of the way things are now, I fully expect this to become much worse for much longer than all of these weak initial projections. The measures other countries are taking to flatten the curve and slow the transmission of this virus is something we here seem not to quite grasp yet. The administration, under pressure, is throwing money at this thing finally, but this feels like a kind of Marshall Plan – highly political. Pay us all not to panic, not to break from the creed of capitalism. Call me cynical. I’m pretty sure everyone sees that we’re largely on our own here. Which could actually be a good thing! Self organizing is actually preferable to me. I try not to despair over it, even though I am considered vulnerable (autoimmune disease, meet my nightmare).
I hope the video thing works out for you though, that actually sounds kind of funny. It’s just difficult to imagine your professor spending their waking hours watching people exercise via youtube or whatever, 30 mins a piece. Awkward!
I also agree with you because to be honest I never took online classes so this would be my first experience doing that. It's like you said old fashioned and like I'm used to leaving my house and going to school, but since the virus kicked in it's been different. It feels I got dropped out without getting dropped out.
ReplyDeleteI am 100% agree with" not too happy about moving to virtual learning" imagine taking 5 classes this semester all the assignments are due in the same week. some classes I am to do 2 assignments in a week. especially for my speech class I spend an hour trying to join an live class session on blackboard. Online class is not something I am familiar with I hate everything about it starting at staying home everyday to not be able to ask question/ getting explanation by the professor in person it drive me crazy.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone,
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost i hope everyone and their families are doing well. I must agree with you on this. I am not too happy with the virtual learning aspect either. Its very different and a bit hard to navigate through assignments. One step ive taken in staying on track is creating a check list in a way , to check off what i have done and what needs to be done. although im not comfortable with this transition , i am grateful to be healthy for the moment and time being and am also grateful to be apart of a time where we can just switch to online while still being able to get through with our educational requirements.
I strongly agree with you since I had not taken online classes before, I have always taken classes in person since I feel that it is a little easier to understand. Personally, online classes for me are a bit complicated since the work material is more difficult to understand. Being in class I can ask the teachers and get answers instantly. Now, I have to keep checking on my email to see what new things my teachers are uploading but on the other hand I understand that it is for our safety since the amount of infected is quite a lot. Many people ignore and catch this virus. This virus is causing more fear every day since the way it spreads is too fast. Despite the fact that at times my tasks are complicated, I take it on a positive side too since it allows me to share more with my daughter. In my opinion at the moment one has to do the best and try to do things well.
ReplyDeleteThese are great responses to our current situation. Stephen, yours could be developed into an essay. You do a nice job of capturing the humor/absurdity of the experience w/ your volleyball anecdote w/out ignoring the fear and the boredom.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I chose not to have any "live" classes b/c I felt that it would be easier for all of you. However, if this is something that appeals, I can make an optional "live" session where we meet to discuss the reading and any other issues you have. Also, I will be meeting one-on-one in these chat sessions w/ the students I haven't met w/ so far and am available to meet w/ anyone else who needs to.