Dr. Mike Robinson: Are you in favor of schools restarting in-person learning before the summer begins?
Dr. Kianga Thomas: At this point, "No!" My reasons are many school districts do not have a comprehensive entry plan for students that would ensure safety and attention to COVID restrictions. The CDC has also confirmed that children are vulnerable to the virus, so allowing students (children) in the building without a thorough plan can be a disaster. Lastly, we are half-way through the academic year, so I am not sure how this will impact student participation since we only have 18 weeks left in the school year.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What benefits are there for students, in your opinion for students relative to in-person learning?
Dr. Kianga Thomas: In-person learning provides several advantages. For example, students can receive immediate/real-time feedback on questions about instructional material(s). Secondly, the school offers students an outlet to break away from the norm and an atmosphere to establish friendships, dialogue, and learn from one another. Lastly, many students take "high-level" courses that require attention to detail. Therefore, students will need to interact with their teacher that they can not receive from a virtual environment.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Do you believe that all was done or could have been done to make distance learning more effective for students?
Dr. Kianga Thomas: No... the COVID pandemic caught many of us off guard, especially schools. As a result, there was a "rush" attempt to accommodate learning that was abnormal for many students. Colleges/Universities were able to adapt because many degree programs are offered online. However, K-12 schools took some time to develop a delivery model for instruction, and time went by without little to no instruction (speaking from experience with my own children). In closing, some high schools offered distant learning courses that benefited the completion of high school courses, but this was not afforded to elementary and middle school students. Full disclosure, I am responded based upon small sample size, so my responses may not be an accurate generalization.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Are schools the only way for students to have socialization that can benefit their development?
Dr. Kianga Thomas: No, students can still play outside... as a matter of fact, the CDC emphasized that people (in general) spend as much time outdoors because of the air quality inside vs. outside. Now, parents who do not have access to public parks, extracurricular activities, and outlets for their children may be disadvantaged. The use of video game systems (e.g., X-Box, Playstation, etc.) has allowed students to meet and play games with each other online. My children communicate with their peers using this aforementioned means of delivery and it seems to provide an outlet to talk and have fun.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Should schools reopen if all teachers have not received the vaccination?
Dr. Kianga Thomas: I am on the fence with this because there is no longitudinal data to support this assertion, and it could harm those who have not been vaccinated (super spreader). Teachers should be on the front-line to receive the vaccination because they will be exposed to many different children who will be entering the classroom from various environments.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Do you think students do not take distance learning as seriously as they should because they hear adults say it is not working?
Dr. Kianga Thomas: I am not sure because I don't have a frame of reference to support this question. This would be a good survey item to ask students... perceptions towards distance learning. Rather, this is a major assumption that warrants additional evaluation.
Dr. Mike Robinson: If schools are considered the HUB of their community and the community is high exposure to COVID, should schools reopen in-person learning?
Dr. Kianga Thomas: Any exposure to COVID is terrible, whether or not the community is high or low, about the virus. Therefore, there needs to be a strict plan for entry and include community leaders, the medical community, and school officials to make the best and safest decision for students, teachers, and all who are directly affiliated with schools.
Dr. Kianga Thomas: At this point, "No!" My reasons are many school districts do not have a comprehensive entry plan for students that would ensure safety and attention to COVID restrictions. The CDC has also confirmed that children are vulnerable to the virus, so allowing students (children) in the building without a thorough plan can be a disaster. Lastly, we are half-way through the academic year, so I am not sure how this will impact student participation since we only have 18 weeks left in the school year.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What benefits are there for students, in your opinion for students relative to in-person learning?
Dr. Kianga Thomas: In-person learning provides several advantages. For example, students can receive immediate/real-time feedback on questions about instructional material(s). Secondly, the school offers students an outlet to break away from the norm and an atmosphere to establish friendships, dialogue, and learn from one another. Lastly, many students take "high-level" courses that require attention to detail. Therefore, students will need to interact with their teacher that they can not receive from a virtual environment.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Do you believe that all was done or could have been done to make distance learning more effective for students?
Dr. Kianga Thomas: No... the COVID pandemic caught many of us off guard, especially schools. As a result, there was a "rush" attempt to accommodate learning that was abnormal for many students. Colleges/Universities were able to adapt because many degree programs are offered online. However, K-12 schools took some time to develop a delivery model for instruction, and time went by without little to no instruction (speaking from experience with my own children). In closing, some high schools offered distant learning courses that benefited the completion of high school courses, but this was not afforded to elementary and middle school students. Full disclosure, I am responded based upon small sample size, so my responses may not be an accurate generalization.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Are schools the only way for students to have socialization that can benefit their development?
Dr. Kianga Thomas: No, students can still play outside... as a matter of fact, the CDC emphasized that people (in general) spend as much time outdoors because of the air quality inside vs. outside. Now, parents who do not have access to public parks, extracurricular activities, and outlets for their children may be disadvantaged. The use of video game systems (e.g., X-Box, Playstation, etc.) has allowed students to meet and play games with each other online. My children communicate with their peers using this aforementioned means of delivery and it seems to provide an outlet to talk and have fun.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Should schools reopen if all teachers have not received the vaccination?
Dr. Kianga Thomas: I am on the fence with this because there is no longitudinal data to support this assertion, and it could harm those who have not been vaccinated (super spreader). Teachers should be on the front-line to receive the vaccination because they will be exposed to many different children who will be entering the classroom from various environments.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Do you think students do not take distance learning as seriously as they should because they hear adults say it is not working?
Dr. Kianga Thomas: I am not sure because I don't have a frame of reference to support this question. This would be a good survey item to ask students... perceptions towards distance learning. Rather, this is a major assumption that warrants additional evaluation.
Dr. Mike Robinson: If schools are considered the HUB of their community and the community is high exposure to COVID, should schools reopen in-person learning?
Dr. Kianga Thomas: Any exposure to COVID is terrible, whether or not the community is high or low, about the virus. Therefore, there needs to be a strict plan for entry and include community leaders, the medical community, and school officials to make the best and safest decision for students, teachers, and all who are directly affiliated with schools.