SB Unified Schools adapt to distance learning

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — It hasn’t been long since the Santa Barbara Unified School District began online classes on April 1st. 

With nearly 13,000 T-K through 12th grade students districtwide, it’s been quite the transition. 

“The most difficult part about transitioning to online class is that I’m not as present in my students everyday learning,” Harding University Partnership School 6th grade teacher Megan Reed said. 

“The hardest thing is obviously missing students, the one-on-one with the students, helping them,” Goleta Valley Junior High teacher Tami Gunton said. “There’s a disconnect that you can’t get through Zoom.”

Prior to the distance learning transition, a large majority of students already had already received iPads for their schoolwork. 

“We’re pretty lucky in the sense that our 3rd through 12th graders are really familiar with using devices,” SB Unified Chief Educational Technology Officer Todd Ryckman said.

“We’re just kind of doing the same things we’ve already been doing, using technology to help them engage,” Gunton said.

“We ask students to respond via video, drawings, newspaper articles and then we build in all kinds of challenges to give the kids a break from the screen,” Reed said.

Most parents are playing a significant role in their children’s online education. 

“Parents are more involved than they’ve ever been and that’s been good,” Gunton said. “I’ve been communicating constantly with parents and I love that.”

While they may not be together in person, distance learning has bounded everyone together.

“Online classes have absolutely helped build spirit with my students and colleagues during this difficult time,” Reed said. 

“Teachers and students will be closer after this is all done,” Ryckman concluded. “I think education will be in a better place after this is all done.”

The district will provide 500 WiFi hotspots for students without internet connection beginning on Friday.