SBP Winter 2021 magazine Final 1_29

Gray Bees Enter the Matrix
Gray Bees in the
By Isabel Garcia
and
Survey Story
Grant Parker
A survey assessing the impact of remote
I wouldn't mind going back to school because it
learning on St. Benedict’s students, conducted
has been months,” another said.
by The Benedict News, shows a divide between
those who greatly miss the reality of learning
On the other hand, some students are finding a
on the property and those who prefer the
silver lining in the present situation.“I enjoy it
comforts of home.
since I am able to learn at Benedict's online and
then switch over to my NJIT online class with a
In a sequence of questions covering everything
few clicks on my computer,” said one.
from remote learning’s impact on grades and
“Teachers are actually teaching everyday unlike
attention span to the adequacy of students’
other schools, (where) many didn't even see
home environments for educational purposes,
their teacher once schools closed down,” said
students outlined advantages and
another. “So my experience at Benedicts with
disadvantages for virtual instruction, vented
virtual school is a 10/10!”
about the loss of connection with friends and
teachers, and reflected on how this would help
While missing Benedict’s, some students said
them in the future. Of the 51 students who
they appreciated the effort teachers and
responded, 41.2% reported their grades were
administrators were making in recreating a
lower as a result of the present digital learning
virtual Benedict’s environment. “I love how
environment. Only a slightly smaller
Benedict's cares about our safety,” said one. “As
percentage -- 39.2% -- said their grades had
much as I would love to go back to school, the
remained the same, leaving the smallest
circumstances we are under will make it
percentage -- 19.6% saying their grades had
impossible for 700+ students to be on the
risen.
property without following guidelines. I
appreciate teachers understanding the situation,
Furthermore, the students’ feelings toward the
but still not allowing students to fail. Same
present situation of virtual learning
rules like uniforms, for example, but just from
corresponded with the statistics. Some students
home.”
were very eager to return to the academic home
of St. Benedict’s, despite the pandemic. “I wish
Some students noted that they preferred the
I could be in a physical classroom,” said one. “I
Summer Phase schedule of three virtual class
enjoyed it at first, but now I only don’t mind it.
days a week with asynchronous learning in-
3 The Benedict News Vol. 3 Issue 1 Winter 2020-2021