By Matthew BonacheaChief of Web Design
Ninth-grader Melanie Bustamante paints a nice picture of the library, otherwise known as the computer lab, stating “the library is extremely relaxing, [because] we get to listen to classical music.” Other students such as sophomore Andy Beltran say the the library is “loud and uncomfortable.”
Ms. Prieto, who taught Introduction to Computers and other computer classes last year, is the supervisor for the library. After supervising more than 100 students in a single class, Ms. Prieto said she “typically feels outnumbered” but has an “incomparable feeling by teaching our students independence and self-control.”
“It’s an advantage for students to work independently and take online classes,” said Ms. Damonte, Ms. Prieto’s assistant. There are, however, some challenges with more than 100 students in the library every period.
“The fact that there are so many students in one place at one time can be troublesome. But we try to teach [them] cooperation so they can work together independently,” she said.
Junior Samantha Millage, who takes Advanced Reading online, does not enjoy taking an online class in the lab.
“[This is] absolutely ridiculous because we go to school to be taught by a teacher,” she said. Ms. Harvey says that you do learn because “everything is there for you.”
Students from other classes such as HOPE, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, and Introduction to Computers share the same opinions.
According to ninth-graders Amanda Gordon and Laura Gomez, taking HOPE online makes things difficult. In this class they can’t go outside like in a traditional course to complete physical activities.
Sophomore Lauren Persaud also said she feels the same way about her AP Biology class. “It’s not teaching you because there is no teacher,” she said.
On these virtual classes, students are asked take quizzes and research assignments. Additionally, students can make up work. For example, if you get a bad grade on your assignment, you can redo the assignment and try for a better grade.
Students can also contact their teachers if they have problems in regards to academics. Ninth-grader Alexandra Ysme said “communication is hard with teachers.” When a group of students were asked to comment on the communications between them and their teachers, nearly all responded with the same answer: Teachers sometimes take days to respond to e-mails and phone calls.
Ms. Ridal, who teaches Web Design online, said that all virtual school teachers have office hours, but Somerset’s virtual teachers also teach traditional classes during the school day.
In response to Ms. Ridal’s statement, Mr. Montero affirms that “in-school virtual classes, as well as Somerset Virtual Academy, were created to innovate education and to keep up with the futuristic educational practices. Also, they were made for classes that don’t have enough demand, or classes that would be pointless to schedule. If a class is only going to have five kids, it would be smarter to place them in a virtual class.”
Students are required to take a virtual class before they graduate by a state law that was passed in June of 2011, according to Ms.Estomba-Goss, current high school guidance counselor.
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