STUDENT LIFE
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STUDENT SURVEy
tudent faces replaced black boxes in many classes this semester as the Blue Valley school district moved to mandate turning on Zoom cameras. In an email sent to students on Jan. 13 announcing the new policy, BVN administration explained that the expectation would “[assist] with engagement, [monitor] students as learners, [benefit] student-to-teacher connections, and [create] ease and increased accuracy when it comes to taking attendance.” From an Instagram poll of 191 BVN students, 86 percent believed the mandate was not a good idea, for reasons such as privacy, living conditions, distractions and general insecurities. Sophomore Trichelle Mpofu disagreed with the mandate because having her camera on added distractions. Mpofu said she often fixated on herself when her camera is on, instead of paying attention to class, because she felt like everyone was looking at her. Although she did not have problems with Zoom first semester, Mpofu was aware that other students left and did other activities while cameras were off. “I think that a lot of the kids that turn their cameras off and leave, it’s just because the class isn’t engaging,” Mpofu said. “...
A lot of the time when it’s just my Zoom classes, we either watch a long video that’s outdated or do a lot of stuff that’s not fun at all. And especially because we’re on Zoom this semester, it’s making it a lot harder for kids to learn.” Senior Mihir Sunkara has also felt the added difficulty of learning this year. However, his main reason for disliking the mandate was due to privacy concerns, for example students who might work in their living rooms and have other family members in the background. He said he felt there could be better ways to make sure students focus in class without impeding on convenience or privacy. For him personally, the mandate has not been a problem, but because he thinks it could become a problem for other students, he does not believe it should have become mandatory. “I have my own room and everything’s fine, but I know there are a few people who just, the very thought of having 15-30 people depending on the situation, looking at them through a camera within their own home is very different,” Sunkara said. On the other hand, senior Hannah Smuckler was part of the 14 percent of students polled who agreed with the necessity of the mandate. Although
are you In Favor of cameras on? (191 students)
27 164 yes
no
“it’s meant to make students more engaged but actually just adds another distraction.” - anna mccartan
10 | The North Star | April 2021
Students and teachers react to this semester’s ‘camera on’ policy for Zoom classes. by yasmeen saadi Smuckler personally does not like turning on her camera, she said it was better for engagement and connectivity. “When you were [on Zoom] it was fine, but when you were in person and you saw the other side of it, it made me sad seeing the teacher look over to the class at home and it was just a blank screen,” Smuckler said. “... They can’t be in control of the class when everyone has their video off. And obviously that’s their job, to make sure everyone is getting an education.” This semester, Smuckler has been trying to be more engaged and present in her Zoom classes by speaking during class discussions and paying attention to class lessons, especially because she empathizes with the teachers. “I’m sure it’s devastating for them because they’re trying so hard and they weren’t planning on being a remote teacher ever,” Smuckler said. “... I know so much for teachers is about the connection they make with the students, and that’s probably so much harder now. In direct contrast to the student poll, a survey of 44 teachers showed that 86.4 percent were in favor of mandating Zoom cameras and 13.6 percent were not in favor. History and Economics teacher Elizabeth Cornell was in favor of the mandate because
have you felt more engaged this semester? (122 students)
59 63 yes
no
“It completely invades the privacy of students’ homes.” - dylan long
“It helps bring back the idea of a classroom.” - hannah smuckler
