Last week, District 7 made the decision to cancel school for a snow day, followed by four days of E-Learning.
The sudden shift to virtual classrooms may have been inconvenient, but overall, my peers and teachers adapted remarkably well, taking advantage of resources like Schoology, Microsoft Teams, and digital textbooks.
While it’s easy to complain about the challenges of remote learning, it’s worth acknowledging how far we’ve come. Since 2023, E-Learning has primarily been reserved for weather-related disruptions, giving students and teachers time to refine their use of virtual tools.
Each virtual meeting I joined last week began with my teachers lamenting the downsides of E-Learning, often paired with hopeful remarks about returning to in-person instruction soon. But as I listened, I reflected on how much smoother the experience has become compared to the chaotic virtual learning days of 2020 and 2021.
Back then, E-Learning was a necessity born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was far from ideal. In early 2022, our return to in-person classes was delayed after winter vacation due to a COVID outbreak. The year prior, my eighth-grade experience was shaped entirely by virtual learning.
While most of my class had hybrid schedules that year, several others and I were fully remote.
Eighth grade was particularly challenging. I saw my friends infrequently, and lost contact with most of them. It was an isolating time when I missed out middle school experiences, like forming relationships and preparing for high school.
In comparison, last week’s snowstorm-induced E-Learning was almost a relief. The district anticipated the weather and activated a plan to keep students and staff safe without sacrificing too much instructional time.
While some complained that E-Learning delayed lesson plans, I found the timing fitting. The first week back from winter break is often a transition period, easing us into regular coursework.
Last week’s E-Learning days struck a unique balance between traditional snow days and normal school days. I still attended virtual meetings, received instruction and completed assignments, but the structure was far more flexible. With my classes over by 11:00 am, I had the rare opportunity to spend quality time with my family and enjoy my time at home.
I’d prefer either a full snow day or in-person classes, but I can’t deny the benefits of E-Learning in situations like this. It ensures safety during hazardous weather conditions and prevents us from adding extra days onto the school calendar at the end of the year.
The key takeaway from last week’s experience is that E-Learning is far from perfect, but it wasn’t a disaster. As someone who’s experienced both the highs and lows of remote education, I’m grateful for the improvements we’ve made over the years.
It’s a credit to the students, faculty and staff of District 7 that we were able to handle the week so well. Remote learning will likely never replace traditional school for most of us, but it’s comforting to know we can adapt when the situation calls for it.
While I wouldn’t choose E-Learning over in person school, when faced with snowy roads and uncertain conditions, E-Learning is a solid alternative—and that’s something worth appreciating.