It’s been more than a week for Connor – his online distance learning. The first two days were major adjustments for him and for me. But as the days went, we grew accustomed to new routines. We began to adjust to the situation and I have to say, I am very proud of Connor and how he’s been handling this online distance learning.
Everyday, he would come down – have breakfast and after, go into the study room. He’ll sit down, turn on the laptop, plug in his earphones and wait. Whenever he had extra time to spare, I catch him watching minecraft videos on youtube. I don’t mind – as long as when the clock hits 7:15am – he has to be in class. He’s been quite responsible for a 7year old and it makes me quite proud! He’s just call on me when he needs help, like when he’s disconnected to he’s unable to find something. I let him be for a couple of days and I saw how he would dive into the routine.
Last week though, I caught him. While the class was in Zoom – guess what he was doing? Watching a minecraft video on youtube! I saw this because I went in the study room to go to the bathroom and bam! I saw his screen! Hahahaha. I looked at the clock to check the time and saw that it wasn’t recess or break time. So I asked what he was doing – he said ‘nothing’! I knew it wasn’t nothing, so I asked him again – and he dropped his head and said minecraft. He was able to minimize the browsers. Hahaha! Smart!
I didn’t think he’d be smart enough to do that, but he did! Instead of going crazy getting mad at him, I just told him that when it’s recess – he can do it. As long as there is regular class, it should ONLY be regular classes. He understood I think – because he said he felt embarrassed that I caught him. At least he felt embarrassed, right? That’s my consolation. Haha!!
I have experienced ONE MAJOR PROBLEM in this online distance learning thing – it’s the CONNECTION. You see, connection is very very very important. I used to thing that it was a small issue, but well – surprise surprise, it’s a MAJOR one. Major enough that if you don’t have a stable connection – all the efforts go down the drain. In my experience, it’s wise to have a back up internet connection. I never thought of this to be honest, but during the ‘summer’ classes our internet connection was suddenly cut – and my daughter was in a panic mode that she couldn’t connect to her classes. Just a yesterday, Kailee was crying – I thought she was fighting with Connor, turns out she lost her connection. I guess she felt frustrated and helpless. I told her calmly that we can reconnect anytime – she just needed to ask.
Another issue that I get upset about is whenever Connor tells me he reminds me to print things. Knowing me, I print EVERYTHING ahead of time. Every weekend, I print out ALL the materials he needs. On Monday, I remind him that all the print outs has been done and are INSIDE each subject folder. But you know what, every single day since Monday – I keep getting requests to ‘print this and print that’ It’s seriously pissing me off! I really hate it when these kids don’t do due diligence and check their things!
Honestly, this ODL is driving me insane. I get constant reminders on my emails on the things they need to do. It’s irritating to tell you the truth, but what am I to do right? The only silver lining is that – well, I get to see the kids MORE now and spend more time with them. But 50% of the time is spent on getting upset, on them telling me what the other sibling did.
What a HUGE adjustment for everyone.
