Distance learning struggles persist

Distance learning is forcing Davis High teachers to adjust their curriculum, paring it down to what students need most. 

Principal Tom McHale and the three vice principals have been supporting teachers by making sure they understand Canvas, the new learning management system.

“I am very proud of our teachers for working very hard. Canvas is new to everyone, so teachers are devoting many hours to organizing lessons and materials and developing expertise on how best to use Canvas,” McHale said. 

So far there have been many positive comments left by teachers and students about Canvas saying that it is very organized. McHale says he sees the school continuing to use Canvas in the future.

According to reports from students and teachers, the new block schedule has been helpful for them because it helps them focus and prepare due to there being fewer classes. They also like the new schedule because it is less stressful and they can communicate every day. 

However, there have been many challenges with adjusting to online learning and fitting a semester’s amount of work into one quarter. 

“Everything has to be changed or modified in some way. I feel as if I have to change my slide or key points just to keep students engaged,” said Holly Istas, who teaches World Civilizations to sophomores.

Istas had to change a lot of her curriculum such as only focusing on the important topics and giving up some of the depth. She is trying out several assignments that give different access points for her students such as responses to videos, textbook assignments and discussions in Canvas. 

She learns what works best for each of her students and adjusts the assignments and activities to the learning style they would get the most out of. 

Istas thinks of the changes as positive because it’s better for students and will possibly keep some of the changes such as using Canvas.

Class discussions have been hard because some students are either unwilling or unable to turn on their cameras which makes communicating with students difficult.

“I’m just surprised that there are many students who I have had one-on-one meetings with but I have never seen their face,” Istas said.

Orchestra director Angelo Moreno has had to adapt a lot in order to teach online. Zoom makes it hard for students to play in “real time” so most of the class period is spent in group discussions or analyzing and reading music.

“The hardest part is trying to maintain a performance ensemble aspect to the class because that is what kids signed up for; they didn’t sign up to learn music essentials or history over the computer,” Moreno said.

The orchestra was able to adapt to the new environment and Moreno created a multiple-step plan in order to conduct a virtual performance at the end of the quarter. 

“It’s not ideal but it’s the best we can do for now and if you learn everything it becomes bearable,” Moreno said. 

The first stage is learning the music effectively which students do by analyzing and score reading the music. The second stage is submitting a video playing their part, after which Moreno gives them advice on how to improve.

The third stage is submitting a final video, which is given to a production team that layers all the clips together so the sound is balanced and looks professional. The final stage is the virtual performance that will go public. 

“The one thing that has not been halted is student learning. Distance learning has allowed students to continue to grow musically and think as a group mentality as a team performance,” Moreno said.