Students return to hybrid learning amidst COVID-19 pandemic

Last week, York students returned to in-person hybrid learning. Students attended the hybrid learning setting last semester for a few weeks before all students and staff were required to return to remote learning.

With the return to hybrid learning, York students have varied opinions on this new style of education. Many students seem to think that hybrid has gone rather well.

 “In-person creates a more normal learning environment and, from my experience, makes class run more smoothly,” freshman Lindsey White said. “When some are in the class while others at home, it makes it more difficult to stay connected.”

Other students elaborated on the change to new guidelines and sanitation procedures for the school, including self-certification and washing the desks down before and after each class. 

“[The transition to hybrid] was pretty easy for the most part,” senior Emily Brownlie said. “Getting into the school was pretty easy, as long as you had self-certified beforehand about not having COVID-19. Even though we had to wash down our desks every period before and after, and social distance, wear masks, it wasn’t too bad of a transition.”

The hybrid experience can vary greatly depending on the course. For some, the longer periods and greater freedom allow elective classes to run more effectively in person. 

“For certain classes, [hybrid] is definitely better,” said senior Edward Gobber. “Like in music production and ceramics, classes like that where there’s a physical aspect where it makes a bigger difference of actually being somewhere, of having different resources available.” 

 For other courses, the lack of communication and need for separation proved difficult. Class periods themselves are also much longer than before the pandemic, so focusing can become an issue.

“I guess I was more on task, but it was just boring,” junior Timothy Gley said. “They’re 75 minute periods. So, if I need to at home, I can just get up and walk for a minute. But in this setting, I can’t do that.”

With most students being at home on any given day, the needs of the classes still revolve around a remote learning setting. Nonetheless, with hybrid learning, students and faculty will continue learning with optimistic mindsets.

“Try hybrid first before you make a judgment because I think for some people it may sound really bad since you have to wake up earlier and all that stuff, but it definitely is a really good way to start your morning,” Brownlie said. “Actually getting out of your regular routine and getting ready for the day felt pretty good.”