Do you find yourself more productive when you’re online or in-person? 

“I feel more productive at school because school feels like where you’re supposed to do schoolwork. When I’m at home I feel like I shouldn’t be doing schoolwork. So even though I’m getting things done, it doesn’t feel like as much as if I were in school.”

What does a day in your life look like?

“I wake up at 8. I get on my science Zoom call and then right after I get on a call at 9:30 for my World History call. Then my Fashion Trends class, I kind of just go on Canvas to see what to do, since she doesn’t do a zoom call. Then my English class is Zoom so I get on and see what to do. Homeroom is just a check-in through email.”

What does a test day look like?

“A test day, so basically, we can still mute ourselves, but we just have to show our faces. We just have to finish before class is over, just like the rest of the kids.” 

What motivated you to become an online student? 

“The surroundings of the school at Derby. More people getting sick and knowing I’d be able to work on my own time.”

Have you come across any big struggles yet? 

“Probably getting my absences marked right. Some of my teachers can get confused and mark me absent because there are a lot of people still switching to online. Then sometimes my Mom can get frustrated thinking I’m not on my Zoom calls when I am.”

Did you have to make any schedule changes? 

“No, with all my classes the teachers did a pretty good job getting Zoom and understanding Zoom so our schedules could stay as similar as possible.”

Do you consider yourself more responsible now that you do online? 

“Honestly, yes and no. Yes, because I feel like I have to get all of my work done and make sure it’s done. But no, because I still feel like I’m not going to school so it kinda feels like I’m forgetting something and not getting my work done, but I am.”

Is there anything you miss from being in-person?

“I miss seeing my friends every day and I miss pep assemblies. Also football and basketball games. And not having to wear masks so that we can really interact with each other.”

In synchronized classes, how do your teachers include all students?

“They make sure they check-up with the Zoom kids just as much as the in-person kids. Every time someone in-person asks a question they’ll ask if anyone online has questions. They let us use the chat and just make sure we understand the concepts.”

Do you feel like communication is easier while taking online or in-person classes?

“I feel like it’s way easier taking in person because your teacher is just sitting right there, you can ask questions in person, sometimes they can’t hear you on Zoom so it can be harder.”