Are Students Actually Learning in Online School?
Students face difficulties with virtual classes
By Alreem Al Mannai
The COVID-19 pandemic has been changing the way education is handled in Qatar and many other countries. It has moved education from the familiar face-to-face classrooms to the unfamiliar space of virtual meetings.
While teachers were able to see their students’ progress when they were in face-to-face classrooms, now with the new virtual setup this poses many challenges for both the teachers and students. It also raises a question of whether the students are actually learning in online classes.
The shift to virtual classrooms seems to have created uncertainty for some students’ education due to issues such as bad internet connection, noisy environment, and miscommunication between teachers and students. So there are many factors to why some students might not be learning online. But there are other students who are actually learning and working hard to get their grades up during this pandemic.
I asked some students from Awsaj Academy for their input on this question. A student in the eighth grade named Al-Maha Al Mannai responded, “Yes, I learn a lot more online than in class because I can concentrate better when I’m alone.” Another eighth grader named Sara Al Emadi answered, “No, I don’t find myself learning more online because I enjoy learning with my classmates.”
My classmate Shaikha Al Mannai also responded, “I find myself learning in class better because virtually there are too many distractions.” A seventh grade student named Jassim Al Mannai answered, “I don’t find myself learning a lot in online classes because the teachers don’t help me.”
In conclusion, not only has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way education is in many schools in Qatar. It also has caused troubles for both students and teachers. In my own opinion, I believe that the majority of students at Awsaj Academy are actually learning or at least trying to, but with the difficulties and possible distractions at home it can be hard to concentrate on work.
