Pacifica High School shows what virtual learning looks like

OXNARD, Calif. - What does distance learning in high school actually look like? And how are teachers and students coping with the new look of high school?

Pacifica High School teacher Allison Holicky invited our cameras into her classroom and gave an inside look at what teaching looks like in the year 2020.

Allison Holicky stands in front of an empty classroom at Pacifica High School. If you look closely at her computer, it's a packed class. Holicky is meeting with students virtually, but inside her actual classroom.

“I really want to keep that teacher mentality that this is my job, and I don’t want to get too comfortable being at home in my pajamas,” said Holicky.

Holicky says the first day of school was tiring, and there were some technical issues, but overall students adapted well. “The hardest part for me is the lack of personal connection.”

While a lot of her senior students had their cameras on, most of her Freshman English class turned their cameras off. Holicky found herself talking to a lot of blank screens.

“I told them it was ok to keep their camera off in my class," said Holicky, "We have various reasons why kids don’t want the camera on. It could be home issues and they are embarrassed with where they live.

Camera or no camera teachers are still able to monitor students.

The GoGuardian program allows teachers to see everything students are doing on their school-issued Chromebook.

“This allows us to block them from certain websites," said Holicky. "I can block everything except the one website I want them using.”

At the end of the day Holicky says this is just the beginning of a unique school year.

"How do we make sure they are still showing up to our classes online when their bed is so comfortable or they get caught up babysitting their younger brothers and sisters? There is way more distractions at home than there are at school, so that is going to be the challenge for us,” said Holicky.