Southwest Florida schools see successful start to e-learning

Learning from home is the soon-to-be new normal for families during the coronavirus pandemic.

Teachers are working with students through video chat to keep the school year going, and Monday was the first day for e-learning for several Southwest Florida school districts.

It was the first day of classes for Bonnie Courtney’s son, Caleb, and they’re trying to make the best of it.

“I don’t like doing it on the computer,” Caleb said, “because I don’t get to see other kids.”

Courtney admits online learning has been a bit stressful, “Today I tried to log on the post that was given inside the Google Classroom and I couldn’t get them to work.”

Her son is one of the thousands of students across Southwest Florida now learning online.

First-grade teacher Allison Simoncas acknowledges, “Parents are having somewhat of a difficult time.”

She says she’s doing everything she can to help both students and parents have a smooth transition.

“[We’re] working together and using our resources and being patient and we’re tackling every problem that’s come,” Simoncas explained.

In Collier County, students work with a program called Canvas. First-grade teacher Amber Hinkel says her students are making the grade, so far. “The kids are logging on, they’re working through their modules. I’ve already received that some of my students have completed their assignments for the day.”

A new day with a new way of learning.

The first day of online learning overall appears to have been successful. Most of the issues appear to revolve around initial log-ins, registration and internet service.