The covid-19 outbreak has forced Amador, along with thousands of other schools around the world, to shift to online learning. Though this situation was unexpected and frightening, the AVHS teachers and staff have been hard at work to move their lesson plans to an online platform. 

“I am trying to be as flexible as possible. Because of the uniqueness of the situation, I want students to not feel overwhelmed as they encounter this new reality,” said AV AP gov/macro teacher Samuel Weaver. 

AV teachers have been careful to be lenient with students, at least for the first couple of introductory weeks, as students and staff adjust to this new way of learning.

Many teachers have taken different approaches to teaching while at home. Some have chosen to utilize zoom, many have created assignments through google classroom, and all have been instructed to communicate to students through email.

“I miss making music with all the students. I am learning more each day and gaining new tools that will make me a better teacher in the long run. It is fun learning instead of just teaching.  My goal is to put something together remotely and combine individual performances into one combined performance. I want to do that with instruments and with voices. I am running experiments now,” said music director Mark Aubel. 

 One issue that teachers have run into is consolidating all their assignments and lesson plans onto one single platform. Having too many ways to submit work has resulted in too much confusion on both sides, as well as an unnecessary amount of miscommunication. 

“I appreciate it when my teachers put everything–assignments, tests, important information and updates—on one application, as it gets really confusing when I have to check someone’s website, emails, google classroom, and zoom account. It’s just a little overwhelming,” said Uma Maveli (‘21). 

Another problem that teachers have had to consider is online academic integrity, and how easy it is now for students to plagiarize work and search up answers to questions they are struggling with instead of attempting to solve the problem on their own. 

According to students, the most popular platform that teachers have been using to collect work and communicate with students has been Google Classroom. Teachers have been able to set due dates, view completed work, and return assignments with scores all through this one single application. 

Zoom calls have similarly been a popular platform that teachers are using during this remote learning period, though it has been used more for checking in than actual instruction. Almost all calls are considered optional for students to join, and teachers have set times (or ‘office hours’) for check-ins. 

Each teacher has created their own unique way for students to submit classwork and homework, and AVHS remote, online learning has thus far been a success! Check back here for more updates on this interesting learning period, coming soon.