Items

• 2021-03-04

  Remote Learning

  learning online was very distracting for me and i'm glad we get to go back on campus so I can focus more and get my work done. I think work is easier online but like I said i get distracted more.
• 2021-02-19

  Looking back at 2020 - A COVID 19 infested year

  As a student in my last semester in Brooklyn college, I was looking forward to an easy semester with electives since I was done with all of my major classes. However, a downfall for me was that there was a very interesting internship which I wanted to proceed with but couldn’t because the program was no longer available because of budget issues that were caused by the corona virus. This internship was going to provide me with an insight of what my career will look like but that never happened. As an employee of the city of New York, I was still required to work in some form. For example, instead of coming to work physically we transformed our workplace to “zoom” meeting where our work would be done in 2-4 hours and we would still get paid for 8 hours. I saw this as an opportunity to take advantage of since I heard other employees who requested to still show up physically and were dropping like flies with the corona virus, one after another. However, mid-year, around June or July, employees were required to help out in other agencies such as the 311 center because of the increase of food shortages and other aid citizens needed. Eventually, in September we were allowed to go back to work physically – something I was looking forward to since I was more comfortable being where I knew the place and the people. Mentally and physically, COVID 19 prevented me and many others from staying physically active which led to me gaining unhealthy weight. It was a nonstop binge of eating and just sitting down. Granted, there were opportunities to go out for a walk or work out in the park – but those were chances that I wasn’t going to take because I knew I have a mother with underlying conditions which I had to do everything to prevent her from getting the virus. One thing that I did learn to do during these times is to cut and trim my own hair. Also, this was a perfect time for me to enhance my skills in freehand sketching since thats something I'm good at. Nevertheless, COVID 19 was an experience like no other that everyone had to grow through, and we continue to just learn and grow from it.
• 
  2021-01-22

  E-fishingcy at its finest.

  For as much as covid-19 has changed everyone's lives, I have been more the less unaffected being the lazy shut in I am. Before the pandemic hit, I played a lot of video games and talked to friends exclusively online and after it has not changed at all, if anything my life has taken a turn for the better and i've become more active and efficient in my time. Even though i still play lots of games in my free time, with distance learning, while some have found it more stressful, I couldn't be thriving more, because before my main flaw was that I would have difficulties organizing papers and assignments (as seen slightly on the bottom of the image) and would miss out on grades because I lost many things, but with everything being online, its nearly impossible to lose papers or work so I have had better grades and with everything in my home within my reach during class, I have been able to drink coffee to stay energized in class during class, exercise when I get some stuff done early. In addition, with being more energized and having more freetime, i’ve got to meet people from all over the world, becoming friends with people all over america, europe and asia, and even started learning a new language in my free time. So overall, I would say that my covid experience has been great, i’ve become a more efficient and organized person, ive met more people and put myself out there more than ever, and have expanded my horizons into bettering myself and life.
• 2020-12-15

  Scraps To Sale

  Sydney Sousa is a trained artist who has been been directly effected by Covid-19 frustrations as a small business who trying to stay afloat. As an attempt to help conserve money during this difficult time Syd has resorted to cutting open and scrapping the last bit of paint within her tubes. As a small business its hard to buy in bulk as you may not need that much product at ones however it is often cheeper this way, especially with a decrease in sales during COVID-19, its been difficult to manage money. Similarly, as a business she experienced frustrations with new regulations such as store hours or limited products because of limited manufactory. Syd expressed that not only is this a tool she uses to save money but also time as sometimes she most be creative to create solutions to problems COVID-19 presented her.
• 
  2020-12-14

  COVID Calm

  Brie Breyer is an example of a person inspired by the stillness of Covid who has been able to compete with her creative side for the skills and opportunities to become an entrepreneur. Brie has begun briecrafts on instagram which is a store dedicated to homemade jewelry and furniture handcrafted. Brie has explained that the break in that COVID provided her allowed her to explore her creative being by learning tools that she already possessed. Brie’s motto is discover by doing, not only has she developed new techniques and enquired skills but also discover a new passion. Although Brie is unsure of her future possibilities she expressed greatly that she feels a sense of accomplishment discovering this new ability.
• 
  2020

  Meme - Transition to Online Learning

  HIST30060 This is a meme saved several months ago (approximately some time during late Semester One) about the transition to online University. What social media platform it came from, and who the original author is remains a mystery. I have chosen to upload this meme because I believe it serves as an example (albeit a satirical one) of how the transition to online Uni has effected students. As a person who struggles with learning difficulties even during the best of times, this meme was a relatable representation of how I felt about University this year, and how challenging the transition to online classes was.
• 
  2020-07-15

  Travel in the Age of Covid-19

  If you would like to know why I was travelling, please see this journal: https://covid-19archive.org/s/archive/item/30217 Travelling at the best of times can induce stress and anxiety. In the times of Covid-19, it is a whole different experience. I am dropped off at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. The departure screen, usually filled with flight information, now only has a handful of flights on display. Incoming flights into Melbourne have been suspended entirely. My destination is Bahrain via Dubai International Airport. Emirates Airlines EK409 is flying at about a third of its capacity (the Melbourne-Dubai route is, at normal times, a very popular one and flights are usually almost full). The extra room is welcome, allowing many travellers to lay down and enjoy a little comfort in these uncomfortable times. Masks as well as gloves are required throughout the flight. A hygiene kit is provided. I sleep for most of the flight. When I arrive in Dubai, sitting in the terminal building waiting for my connection (which is in 10 hours because of reduced flights frequency), and as a way of passing the time, I join one of my online University classes. Three months later, in October 2020, when this journal was written, travel is still a very complicated affair. This is the worst crisis to hit the industry since the attacks of September the 11th 2001. I will not take travel for granted ever again. This reflection was submitted as part of the HIST30060 Making History project at the University of Melbourne.
• 
  2020-09-30

  Equity: Grad School in Quarantine

  This article details 8 things that universities can do to help students have access to the necessary materials so that they could succeed in their educational goals. Many of the professors interviewed stated that there were a myriad of problems students had to deal with in order to learn online. These problems included: relocation due to the pandemic, a lack of internet at home, a lack of access to things such as printers and other items, a lack of childcare, systemic racism within academia and many others. Flexibility and empathy are the keys to navigating a COVID19 world, and recognizing your own privilege is an important step in being able to help others get access to what they need. Graduate school is hard enough already, it's important to work together to get through this.
• 
  2020

  Zoom: Grad School in Quarantine

  This meme is a visual representation of the feelings of many online students this school year. Professors have been doing their best in a situation that was handled so improperly by those in charge. However, many students feel resentment for their universities due to a lack of accommodation in such a tumultuous time. Zoom learning was offered as an alternative to in person learning but no one could say that the two are equal in comparison. The fact that many universities are charging the same amount for both types of learning is not lost on students and adds to the frustration that online learners face during COVID19. Many wonder where their money is going and if the universities actually care about their students and staff. It's important to remember that all of us in grad school are struggling with the same things, being flexible and empathetic is so important, now more than ever.
• 2020-10-27

  Finding Ways to Fill your Boredom

  As I sit on my bed, debating whether or not to attempt one of the many online math assignments or to find another way to fill the empty time that is left in the day. My mom is downstairs trying to teach a first grade lesson on “Beginning, Middle, and End” of writer’s workshop. I can hear how overwhelmed she is to try and get her students to both pay attention and understand the lesson she is trying so hard to explain. My Dad is in his office slamming his keys on his keyboard as he is very loudly expressing the values of communication to one of his clients. “It is important for you to tell me or Peter when you and your wife decide to…” The many conversations that are happening between so many people in one household checks off the idea of watching TV or reading a magazine article. I can even see the annoyed look in my cat’s eyes as he sits next to me. I can tell that he definitely knows that this is not normal for both Mom and Dad to be on the phone and working at home in the middle of the day. So all I do, is just sit on my bed, finding not the most entertaining but productive ways I can fill this boredom.
• 
  2020-10-20

  Sight words

  Virtual learning has been a pain in the butt for a lot of moms. I don’t think I’ve ever related to someone when it comes to parenting like I did with this Florida mom. Although my daughter is no longer doing virtual learning here in Arizona, I do homework with her and am very familiar with sight words. It’s funny and comforting to know that I am not alone in my feelings.
• 
  2020

  Unsurmountable feeling of Digital Dread: A 3 Line Poem for those done with it All

  Oh, woe be the mind riddled with sickening screens! So easy it is now to skip class and be free! It seems so simple without a toll or a fee! Lest be our nauseated souls, Cure us of this sickness, and relieve our woe!
• 
  2020-07-27

  First day of school during Covid

  My daughter began 1st grade at home through online learning. Her first day was July 27th, and she returned in person on September 8th. Trying to balance everyone working and learning from home was an incredible struggle, and didn't benefit anyone. Mom was working on her dissertation and taking classes, her dad was teaching high school from 8-3 each day, and she had classes with homework throughout the day. For a 6 year old who had no idea how to type, it was very hard to get everything completed. While we are glad that she is back in school, I worry about her safety everyday.
• 
  2020-09-09

  Not Enough Time in the Day

  I am currently under the impression that there is not enough time in the day...or the week for that matter. School is in full swing both for me as a teacher and a student. After working a 9 hour day in my classroom teaching students online I come home and set up the wild setup pictured above. My large desktop computer is used primarily for grad school; to watch lectures, write papers, and send personal emails. The laptop on the left is my school computer and used to do tasks for my job such as lesson planning, distributing assignments, or as is the case tonight field the emails from the district and parents as the decision was just made to move into a hybrid in 10 days. The iPad on the right is my catch all notepad. I've started using Microsoft OneNote as a digital planner, note catcher, and meal planner. I thought that after this spring I would be so sick of technology that I would feel compelled to move to paper. However, as time has gone on I realized that this isn't coming to an end. This could very well be our new normal and it's time to embrace the change rather than dwelling in the sadness of what used to be. As I write this I am also running through an email I am going to send to my team of teachers tomorrow. A less appropriate thing to include in a school email is the line that continues to flow through my brain, "it's time to do the damn thing." We. Can. Do. This. This is not the time to feel sorry for teachers everywhere or to wallow in our never ending to do lists. Instead it's the time to prepare to SHOW UP for our students who haven't been in a classroom for 6 months. The kids don't care about content. They care about contact. We'll show up. We'll be there. We'll do the damn thing.
• 2020-08-31

  Learning how to dot your i 's and cross your t 's

  College students are not the only ones dealing with the challenges of online classes. Many families find themselves in a tricky situation during the COVID school year. I've been working with a family for a couple weeks now trapped in this dilemma. Both of them work full time and their two boys both in elementary school have to attend online classes. If you think college students struggle with online instruction then imagine being a grade school age child learning how to read and write. The value of in person instruction and the importance of a classroom environment becomes apparent very quickly. Children need a structured day that allows them to play and learn with other kids. The family I've been working with has the financial means to have someone like myself come in and help their 6 year old traverse the challenges of online instruction. This period of non traditional learning which kids will undergo leads one to ask questions about the long term effects of this on their future as students when they finally do return to class. Will they easily transition back to a classroom environment? Or with they will they have a longer period of adjustment? One can only hope that the necessary separation of the pandemic won't have long term affects on the development of children.
• 
  2020-04-22

  The 3Rs COVID-19 taught me

  COVID-19 pandemic shakes the entire human race and how the disease triggered the press button to let us all “slow-down” or “pause” to almost our entire usual goings remains an enigma to one and all
• 
  2020-07-09

  Northeastern University Update on Housing, Hybrid NUflex, and Fall Reopening

  Email from Northeastern University, detailing reopening plans for the Fall 2020 semester
• 
  2020-04-17

  Life In Isolation: The Coronavirus... Deborah Berkowitz

  A virtual exhibition by the Evansville Museum of Art, History and Science
• 2020-05-28

  Be good at cooking

  Before coronaVirus, I never cooked by myself. The virus teaches me to cook by myself.
• 
  2020-03-26

  Picking up a Sketchbook after 7 Years

  This is important to me because I haven't even touched a sketchbook in so long despite wanting to learn how to draw.
• 
  2020-05-29

  Book Club for 6 year olds

  The loss of social interaction has been one of the hardest parts of the pandemic. It's really hard for my 6yo who wants more than anything to see her friends again. Recently, her friend started a book club where 3-4 kids can get together on Zoom and discuss and share their favorite books. They explain what book they like and why. Today, Maya shared the book Potato Pants which is one that we always laugh at. She still misses her friends, and I have to keep promising that we'll see them soon. Fortunately she hasn't pushed for a concrete date, but she's constantly asking and frustrated that she spends everyday at home.
• 
  2020-03-27

  Music: A Light During the Pandemic

  This entry focuses on the transition to online learning in order to practice social distancing. Prior to the pandemic, I would have to wake up early to go to school. Then, I'd quickly run home after school, so that I would be punctual to my guitar lesson. As the tide has turned, this is no longer my reality. Now, I do online schooling and guitar lessons within the comfort of my own room, at any hour of the day. An hour of light-hearted life chats, bluesy riffs, and all sorts of musical banter relieves my good friend, guitar teacher, and myself of our quarantine blues. This is us, this is our quarantine lyfe.
• 
  2020-04-08

  Distance Learning Packets Organized for Distribution

  Boxes containing distance learning packets await distribution at Princeton Joint Unified School District. K-12 campus closures and limited internet access among students required the use of physical work packets to continue learning. #ASU
• 
  2020-05-13

  Learning a New Language in Quarantine

  Learning a New Language in Quarantine
• 
  2020-04-16

  New University Classroom

  This image shows one of the ways I used to attend my online classes. Due to COVID-19, students were forced to return home and stay safe. In my case, my home was 3653 miles away from my classroom at Fordham University. Even though it was a hard transition, students all over the world managed to complete the semester.
• 
  2020-04-29

  Submitting Work

  This image is apart of a series of screenshots taken during lessons via Microsoft Teams.Teaching my third graders from afar has become a challenge and a blessing at the same time. None of us knew of Mr. Microsoft Teams until we were forced to meet him. The way he impacts our lives is sometimes frustrating and other times satisfying. (I've redacted the name to protect the student's privacy.)
• 
  2020-04-07

  My office

  How my learning and working environment changed due to the pandemic.
• 
  2020-04-07

  Daily Schedule during Quarantine March

  My daughter is a HS freshman and has been at home since March 16. This was her very early on schedule for her day. School was just transitioning to remote learning and the days were more free-form. We have 8 pets of various sizes and varieties so the 'pet hour' is a very important way to stay relaxed. Photo taken April 7, 2020. Document created late March 2020 just when schools closed.
• 
  2020-04-02

  My College Life

  This is a file containing my personal experiences with COVID19 and how it has impacted my day-to-day college life.
• 
  2020-03-28

  Online Learning Tips for Deaf Students

  An email received by an academic advisor for students with disabilities. It describes several tips for deaf students as most colleges and universities transition to online learning. #HIST5241
• 
  2020-03-28

  Free Online Resources from Vizcaya

  An email from Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a historic house museum in Miami, FL, that describes several online resources available for the public to explore while the museum is closed during the pandemic. #HIST5241