E-learners tackle technology issues

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Use of technology, such as a laptop, has increased during E-learning.

New challenges have arisen from the recent increased use of technology because of the pandemic.

Technology can be problematic every year, but when technology is being relied on more than ever, in a pandemic, these problems are amplified.

E-learner Natalia M., who is in seventh grade has had some issues already so far that needed to be resolved.

“Some problems I have had were sometimes my mic did not work,” she said. “I fixed them by having my brother help me with them.”

Freshman Cole Murray, who is an E-learner also has had some problems, but has resolved them.

“So far I have had little to no issues with e-learning, but there is one problem in particular that keeps recurring which is internet drops,” Cole said. “They don’t happen often and when they do, the internet is normally back up in a minute or two. There isn’t really much to do to prevent this problem and some advice to help is if it cuts out for a longer period of time you might be able to join with your phone if you have one with data or a parent’s phone.”

The school’s IT Coordinator Anthony Albert said that because technology continuously changes, teachers have to also change the way they use technology when it is replaced.

“Technology is always evolving, so each year brings new challenges as we refresh a portion of our computers and waterfall devices to replace those most likely to fail,” Albert said. “This means a teacher may face having to learn a whole new way to utilize the computer in their classroom, for example using a laptop with a dock and a second monitor instead of a static desktop connected to the A/V equipment.”

Albert added that, because of the coronavirus, this year is different.

“It brings a whole new dimension of adjustment as a result of the pandemic and the necessity to accommodate remote learning,” he said.

Albert said technology problems are widespread.

“West Shore is not alone,” he said. “Every school in the district is struggling to make these new and unfamiliar systems work in concert with each other to provide the best and most efficient delivery of the curriculum to students.” 

One of the main issues however is student participation. Albert said that since e-learners are removed from a physical environment, they can figure out how to lower their needed effort.

“While in the classroom, it is difficult for an unmotivated student to avoid detection and subsequent encouragement to get them back on track,” he said.  “As you know, students can be very clever, and being physically removed from their teacher allows them to find new ways to avoid the necessary effort to be successful in their class.”

Albert said he hopes the COVID-related problems will soon be behind us.

 “Fortunately, I think we’re all on the same page when it comes to hoping this virus will cease to be a concern very soon,” he said. “I’d certainly like to get back to business as usual, how about you?”

By Dominick Morales