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Please, Don’t Make Students Video Chat During Distance Learning
2020 has brought a new challenge across the world: distance learning.
For many students (and the adults that take care of them), school is an essential part of the everyday routine and a great place for kids to learn, receive care, and socialize.
But after COVID-19 invaded our lives, we’ve had to grapple with losing all of that.
Most schools across the US are opting for distance learning measures. There have been a few districts that have chosen to shut down or offer optional learning, though many have simply transitioned to distance learning with similar grading and credit measures in place. The good news is, students still have a place to learn, the support of their teachers, and some semblance of a routine. But the bad news?
Distance learning affects some groups disproportionately.
First and foremost, one of the major parts of distance learning for a large majority of schools has been video chatting. (Thankfully, many schools have been generous about providing electronic items to students who cannot afford them, which has been a huge part of making this possible.) Systems like Zoom and Google Meet are now flooded daily with students and teachers meeting together, trying to find some way to bring direct interaction to the virtual…
