Covid and Younger Students

Amy Mallon as the head coach of Drexel Women’s Basketball team who is also a mother to 7 year old twins did not expect this turn of events. From having her team’s conference tournament canceled and the rest of the remaining season was heartbreaking and just contributes to the unknown factor of what the rest of the season could have brought. Now, Amy is home helping her 7 year old twins with their virtual schooling and helping support them through all of this and help them understand what is going on.

Viora Health: How are younger students learning during this time?  

Amy Mallon: “The twins have a set schedule which is Monday-Thursday that is all online. It involves 2 zoom sessions a week with their teacher and all other schoolwork is a set Schedule on a Class Dojo which is an app teachers use to post work. This app allows teacher to post work each day which could be read out loud assignments. Teachers reading to them. Math assignments. Art work and music as well as fun class. They get it all.” 

VH: Do you find any resources useful?

AM: “The class dojo is a good app allowed Teacher to share feedback with parents and also give students feedback on progress moving forward.” 

VH: Is there a burden on parents since children are learning remotely now?

AM: “Yes there is a bit of stress involved knowing you are responsible for making sure your child stays on track. And also a feeling of helplessness when trying to get them to stay focused on the task at hand.” 

VH: What do you think will be the future from all of this for your younger students?

AM: “I think students will feel a bit anxious knowing that each student experienced a different way of teaching. Which means they each have learned via a device but their response to that device can not be recorded. I do believe there will be a sense of anxiety if and when students go back to classroom.” 

VH: Are you taking this opportunity as a way to spend more time with your child and help them develop more? 

AM: “Yes that is the one aspect of this pandemic that I feel is a positive. I have opportunity to work closely with my child and see what things they may respond or not respond to in the learning process. As well as have a better understanding of what things they do and don’t comprehend in the learning process.”