As students and teachers across the nation begin to explore online learning due to the coronavirus, many are trying to get used to this new style of schooling. Online learning is a completely new version of school that thousands of students have never attempted before. Not only are students working to learn the strategies of online learning, but teachers are also devising new ways of instructing their students to accommodate their new environment. 

Recently, President Donald Trump extended the national stay-at-home order to April 30th. This means that students will be getting their education online for the remainder of the school year. For students taking AP Classes, the College Board has created a modified, online version of the test that will only last 45 minutes. However, for students that don’t want to attempt the test online, or feel as though they are unable to succeed in this format, they will be able to opt-out of taking the test as well as being fully refunded. 

“I think [the test] will either go really well or I’ll completely fail it because open-ended questions can be on a broad scale. I will be taking all three of my AP tests hoping for the best,” senior Steven Buerkle said. 

All people, children and adults learn very differently. There are three main types of learners: auditory, visual and tactical (hands-on). Each of these styles are going to be affected by learning online. For example, if there is a student that works best in a laboratory setting, they will not be able to get the hands-on experience that they desire. Visual learners may have trouble seeing what they are learning without whiteboards and Powerpoints. Auditory learners may not be used to listening to lectures in a new environment. Essentially, every student that hasn’t been exposed to online learning will be dealing with a change to the way that they are learning. 

“Online school is not going good [because] I’m an auditory learner and I don’t know how much I will really learn for the rest of the year. I will have to try to do my best, but I’m not too optimistic for the rest of the year,” Buerkle said. 

For students in the same position as Buerkle, many will have to also learn to adapt to their new style of schooling. For many, this is a completely new experience, but educators across the nation are meeting to ensure that schooling continues to run smoothly.

Freedom Area High School is also working to ensure that all student’s needs are being catered to by sending out a daily form. Not only does this form count as attendance, but it also asks students what they are currently working on, if their home needs are being met, how they are feeling and even if they need any help with their schoolwork. The teachers that see this form are able to direct students to resources that will help them during this time as Pennsylvania schools are now shut down for the rest of the year.