A Teacher’s Thoughts on Hybrid Learning
Math Teacher Arlene Ashton Comments on Hybrid Learning at Del Norte High School
Arlene Ashton talks about her own experiences as a current math teacher at Del Norte High School, who simultaneously teaches students in person and through Zoom when DNHS began their hybrid learning in March. .
Ashton says the largest challenges are the mental energy needed to navigate both the online class and in-person classes while having to teach with a mask on. Not only does the mask make it more difficult for many teachers to talk and breathe, but it can also make it hard for students to understand their speech and interpret non-verbal communication (such as teachers’ mouth shapes that are very helpful in language classes).
“ ‘Tired’ would be an understated description of how I have felt in hybrid learning,” says Ashton.
She also says she feels “chained” to her desk as she must stay in a position where all the students can see her.
However, Ashton says she believes students who are in-person have advantages compared to those at home. Teachers can usually respond to questions faster when students ask questions in person by reading faces
Although collaboration is still on a smaller scale since not all the students are in the classroom, Ashton says it is much easier to connect with those on-campus.
For those who are staying online, Ashton says these students can overcome communication barriers by taking responsibility for their own learning by asking questions and responding to teachers and classmates.
“I have not met a teacher yet who won’t put time aside for their student, but many are hesitant to ask,” Ashton says.
Despite the challenges of adapting to teaching two different groups of students, Ashton says she enjoys having fun conversations with her students and watching them interact with each other on campus in between periods and during lunch, something that had been lost for many months due to COVID-19.
“While some students seemed a little uncomfortable when they first began to come in, they seem to have settled in and are less hesitant to interact with me and with each other- appropriately distanced, of course,” says Ashton.