The Covid-19 pandemic left students, teachers and staff stuck in their homes for over a year, completing their tasks online through Zoom and Google Classroom. The 2020-2021 school year was only saved by the internet which served as a tool to allow teachers to post, assign and grade work. Now fully out of the pandemic and virtual school, the ability to use Google Classroom to post assignments on supposed ‘off days’ creates an unwelcome reality. On days of inclement weather with students stuck at home, a Google Classroom assignment can swoop in and cancel any plans made with the click of a button.
Each winter season creates a sense of anticipation as students hope and pray for snow. Even the small possibility of dropping temperatures and snowfall can lead to the cancellation of all in-school activities. The creation of these unforeseen off days is often a delightful break for students from the stress of classwork, quizzes or tests of the school day. These days give students like junior Mirella Ogden a pause from the stress and small moments of peace. “Sometimes I just really need a break away from everything,” said Ogden.
Some people make plans with friends while others enjoy a restful day at home. That is—until the Google Classroom notification hits. Whether a simple or difficult assignment, it brings school into the homes of students, puts them on their laptops, and has them stressing to meet their 11:59 pm deadline. Online school quickly takes away the excitement surrounding a day off from the stresses of school. This is especially true for junior Ford Underwood who does not meld well with school taking away free time. “I finally get the chance for a mini break and find out there’s still stuff to do,” he said. “It’s outrageous.”
While this appears as a negative for most students, online assignments are very helpful for teachers in their attempt to remain on schedule. With a wide curriculum of necessary topics to cover, falling behind is not an easy state to recover from. Constantly having to play catch-up with classwork and lesson plans leads to the removal of assignments and less priority placed on lessons that are typically more fun and engaging for students. This reality applies to both inclement weather days and substitute days. Theater teacher Liane LeMaster finds this use of technology to be extremely helpful in student self-discipline. “Giving students asynchronous options in tandem with synchronous learning is likely to help them in this technology-driven world we are becoming,” she said.
In the age of growing digital media, its influence continues to impact people’s everyday lives, proving to be both a hindrance and an advantage. While snow days may not have the same nostalgia they once had in elementary school, new methods keep carefully crafted lesson plans for students doable so that they can learn all of what they need to know for the upcoming year.
