Should school introduce a new way to keep classes going during any kind of event or unexpected weather that forces the institution to close, should teachers start resorting to “zoom classes” especially during snow days?
Like the time of the Covid 19 pandemic, all classes were online?
Some teachers allow students to join the in-person class through zoom if they can’t make it or have a good reason for not being there in person.
Since the snow storms began back in January this spring semester, Northern Essex Community College has had their full share in postponing classes, programs activities, meetings, events, and so much more.
This doesn’t always mean a break for students as some professors won’t extend due dates even if class was cancelled for a longer than usual period of time.
Complications do result from the stressed time and “classroom lag”, as it is important for in-person to meet every single time since not all courses use blackboard or bright space as a learning station but it is used for students to just turn in assignments.
While many students can relate that it is a struggle when in-person learning and interactions with their teachers and other peers does impact their overall grade and performance.
Nobody comes in a school already knowing what to do, rather they come prepared especially with the necessary materials if they have them.
Another problem that’s impacted many students is they lack the resources they need such as enough money to buy proper durable course materials including a reliable laptop.
What’s the point in receiving around three to four hundred dollars in financial aid and maybe a scholarship just to buy a refurbished laptop under two hundred fifty dollars that won’t last two even semesters but instead last six months or even less?
Then the burden of the not so expensive carry on computer becomes double when the device stops functioning.
Even visiting BOTH of the college campus libraries in Haverhill and Lawrence, all laptops that are for students to borrow are taken.
As things change throughout the semesters, it seems students are now allowed to take out laptops for the entire semester.
While it use to be that all borrowing students had to return the laptop within two to five days, this new plan does affect so many students like those who have emergencies.
This futility is seen as a depression where neither the money the student is receiving is going to a purpose that will help them and neither the school can help them when all other plans fail.
So then by the time the student may be very affected academically, it is a strive against the wind because it can be less likely that they will keep receiving financial aid or scholarships to help them receive money that they need.
Even the number of classes they take and programs they participate in can be limited.
