Student Focus Group

The student focus group focused on expectations and how students are handling the challenges of a virtual environment. Here are the main conclusions that were drawn from their opinions. 

Major Takeaways

• Students are often confused when teachers use a multitude of platforms and/or don’t communicate due dates and expectations clearly. Written communication and calendars are more effective than verbally announcing deadlines.
• Classes that vary instruction between lecture and activity are the most effective at retaining students’ engagement.
• Focusing on class is the biggest challenge that students are facing. While they acknowledge that much of this effort needs to come from them, students find it easier to focus when doing an activity that involves something other than typing or reading online text.
• Many feel disconnected from their students and classmates as a result of the virtual environment.

Social Media Presence -What do students want to see on our Facebook and Instagram?

• Announcements and updates directly from the TJ Challenge Success team
• Articles and infographics offering tips for studying, time management and reducing screen time
• Advertisements for school sponsored opportunities that offer PDF (Playtime, Downtime, Family Time)
• Research backed facts associated with our focus areas

Positives

• Students generally feel that they are able to make time for PDF and appreciate that it is being encouraged by the administration.
• Everyone felt like the expectations of themselves, their parents, most teachers and the administration were appropriately adjusted for virtual learning.
• Teachers seem to have boiled down their homework during virtual learning so that students find themselves doing less busy work.

Focus Area Specific Notes

Sleep

• Students are getting more sleep because less time is being spent on commuting and out of the house activities.
• Some mentioned that 2 a.m. emails from teachers are not necessarily setting the best example.

Decoupling workload and rigor

• The virtual environment has made everything more self-paced, but harder.
• The general consensus (from non-freshmen) is that workload has gone down and rigor has either gone up or stayed consistent.

Managing expectations

• Teachers should be more available to help guide students through material instead of expecting them to self-teach.
• Communication is essential to managing expectations, but often isn’t clear in the virtual environment. Calendars and early posting of assignments are very helpful.