Although the introduction of technology such as Zoom and other things has helped us to become much more flexible during such a tough time, it has also brought up some questions now that students are back to learning in person for the most part. Are sick days acceptable anymore? Will there be any more snow days? What if students need a mental health day?
In the past it was easy to take a day off when needed, for health reasons or othe
r ones. Simply not going to school was acceptable for students who needed a day off or were too sick to come in. Now with Zoom options almost everywhere, many professors and teachers expect students to be present for lessons in one way or another. Although this can be a helpful tool for some who are too sick to be in school in person but well enough to work from home, it creates an expectation that even while sick students need to be productive and learning. The same issue is present with students who sometimes need to take a day off for mental health reasons. Much of the time, it would not be a true break since they could be expected to join Zoom meetings while at home instead of attending in person.
The biggest change I have seen myself with the introduction of Zoom is the existence of snow days. While in high school, there was no
better feeling than waking up in the morning, finding out school was canceled for the day due to too much snow on the roads, and going back to sleep for a little while. Now, my younger brother has told me that this year when there was too much snow to go to school, classes were still required to be attended, just online instead. It might seem trivial and stupid, but something as small as snow days is a huge part of the school year that many kids enjoy and look forward to.
Overall, although COVID has presented us with many alternative learning and teaching styles, it has also adjusted our expectations for students and teachers alike. The need for a break sometimes or a sick day here or there will always be present, and the new technological advancements we have made only ask for more time to be dedicated to school in some ways. Allowing students to have these random snow days and necessary sick days where work is not expected of them is a huge part of school, especially for younger children. With the new society we live in, will these past experiences with days off cease to exist?