After a year of distance learning, some Aragon students and teachers have returned to campus through a hybrid learning model, which currently splits students into three cohorts, A and B — alternating between in-person classes and distance learning — and Cohort C, in which students are on campus four days a week. Students and faculty must adapt to mask wearing, sanitation and social distancing.
While having 30 students sitting closely together used to be the norm, classrooms are now limited to a few people, sitting distanced apart. All students continue to receive instruction through Zoom, so screen time fatigue has not reduced.
One of the biggest adjustments for the return to campus has been mandated mask-wearing, but sophomore Sydney Johnson has not experienced major difficulties.
“Learning with masks on is not much different, except in PE and dance,” Johnson said. “Then I feel as if I ran a marathon.”
“The smallest aspects of a school day, including walking to class with friends, have returned”
Even so, dancing in the studio allows for turns, leaps and movement, which is one of the upsides of returning.
For faculty, teaching with masks on required adaptation, particularly when speaking.
“I have to … make my teacher voice even louder [so that] everyone can understand what I’m saying,” said math teacher Robert Flores. “When students are wearing masks, I’ve noticed it’s more difficult to understand them, so I’m very cognizant about it.”
Teachers continue to make changes to their methods of instruction, but the goal is to ultimately teach a class normally.
“I can’t wait to be teaching a live class with all the students in person again,” Flores said. “Not being able to [connect] to the students has been challenging. Who knew I’d be really excited to write on the dry erase board again or to collect an actual piece of paper from a student?”
The smallest aspects of a school day have returned, and while the hallways aren’t packed with people, regaining these moments has been a highlight after a year of social isolation.
“It felt weird to walk to class but also comforting in a way,” Johnson said. “Social interaction has made school better. I was talking to my friend, and I thought, ‘when was the last time I did that?’”
One of the biggest challenges of virtual learning is staying engaged when distractions are tempting.
“Having classes in person is very effective [for] participation and focus rates,” said junior Frances Chua. “It gives students a chance to connect [with others].”
Some students may be worried that COVID-19 safety measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing will become more relaxed. However, with vaccinations becoming available for those over age of 12, more people should be protected.
“I’m concerned about COVID, … but I believe that the sooner we all get vaccinated, the stronger [and] more immune we’ll be,” Chua said. “By then, we can hopefully get back to a modified normal.”
Although returning to the classroom has been challenging, many are grateful that Aragon has put effort into making the transition seamless. For Chua, the experience of coming back was disorienting, but she quickly fell back into the familiarity of the school day.
“I felt like a freshman who was lost on campus,” Chua said. “It was a little rough at first, but for the first time this year, I finally feel like a junior.”
Stepping foot into the classroom brings hope for the arrival of a post-pandemic world. As the Aragon campus starts to come to life, with students roaming the halls again, hybrid learning is a welcome change.
