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Forced Online

I remember the times in my college days when I unexpectedly came home with no scheduled return date. College was closed sine-die following some altercation between various groups of students. The triggers were trivial but the escalations always sharp. We dreaded arriving home after these events - no one felt welcome there and it was awkward not to have a plan. Around us life went on, we remained in limbo waiting to find out when we were supposed to return. Eventually we did and we even miraculously graduated on time. But those forced vacations in the college years are among my worst memories. 

I can think of only one student in my entire class who had the inner drive, energy and mental resources to thrive despite these disruptions. She made the most of these breaks to learn and grow as a person. The rest of us simply could not relate to her. We thought she was "weird" generally left her alone. In hindsight, I can't imagine she wanted to deal with us anyway. M made the best of the hand she was dealt but I can't imagine the college was a happy time of her life.

Reading about students being sent home in droves with no clear plan for return reminds me of those times. The level of disruption to the process of learning not counting the diminished quality cannot be overstated.  There is a segment of the student population that will be particularly hard hit - teens in middle and high school who are already lackadaisical about school, lack work ethic and are struggling to stay on task and keep up their grades. 

Even in a classroom setting they are unable to manage the distractions coming by way of phone and laptop. Now these kids will be working from home where it will become exponentially harder. This teacher's advisory on designing and teaching an on-line curriculum is spot-on. Then there is the other side of the story - the parents of these kids who will stay home indefinitely. I know the plight of a single parent and many have it far worse than I ever did. The rippling effect of school closure is huge as this article points out correctly.

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