10:42 again. I missed one of your questions. My children were fine with school before, never having experienced anything else, but they never loved school as I did when I was a child. I think the difference is that I was always in small privates and they're in large publics, with a level of noise and crowding that isn't really all that pleasant for them. They're in great schools, with great teachers, and we're saving for college, so it's not as if we can afford to homeschool properly or pay for private.

But yes, we'll miss DL when this is all over.

My introverted child does not prefer DL at all. She doesn't like being on the screen, and for her, asking a question in front of the entire class is worse on DL than in person because it's not as discrete.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, a lot of kids don't need constant external attention to feel fulfilled.

And a lot of kids aren't popular or just don't fit in, and every day going to school reminds them of that. If you have popular kids it's easy to forget how much of a grind it is for shy kids, or unpopular kids, or new kids, etc.

I agree with this. Plus it is much easier for some kids with anxiety.

Most kids I know who like it have adhd, a love of the free time for video games, or are introverted.

I have an introverted kid who still is missing the social aspect of school even though he isn't probably ever going to be one of the "cool group" kids, or whatever. Introverts are rarely so extreme that they are hermits! Its getting to be pretty long on the computer for younger elem kids to really pay attention and love DL. Even things like specials are not fun anymore, he loves art for example but I think he really loves doing art in art class where a teacher can walk around, help them, they get ideas from friends, etc. He doesn't hate DL but doesn't love it either.

Kids of some friends of mine who are thriving in DL generally feel a little overwhelmed in group settings where there are strong voices, kids that take over the class,etc. Sometimes that lines up with introversion but sometimes it doesn't really. People are all different.

Anonymous wrote:Nope.

OP here. So they are extroverted? How much friend time do they get? Are they in a pod? Just trying to understand.

I have had the opposite experience. My introverted child HATES distance learning but my extroverted child had no issue with it. My extrovert is very confident, very talkative, and very tech savvy. He has no problem paying attention and focusing on the computer. He is the first one signed on for class each day. However, he doesn't like doing homework assigned at night because he needs the presence of his peers to be motivated. We started doing facetime calls after class with another student so they could do their work together. It was a big help.

Yes, a lot of kids don't need constant external attention to feel fulfilled.

And a lot of kids aren't popular or just don't fit in, and every day going to school reminds them of that. If you have popular kids it's easy to forget how much of a grind it is for shy kids, or unpopular kids, or new kids, etc.

I would never say my oldest loves DL so take this with a grain. Yesterday he had a private school interview and the interviewer asked him how virtual school was going and he said, fine / good. She did ask if he likes in person better and he said yes.

I would just say he’s easy going. He’s in 6th grade. It’s harder for my 3rd grade & I didn’t even try with my kindergartner (she does private).

I have an introverted, nerdy kid who is making DL work, but isn’t happy about it. She back in the building for HS co-curricular orchestra next week. Huge smile.

I have an extrovert who does okay with distance learning because he is no longer exposed to the bullies in his class.

Yes, we are an introverted, nerdy family and are very happy with distance learning. One of my children also has significant inattentive ADHD, and the home environment is much less distracting for him than school.

Nope.

I have an extreme introvert and an ambivert who don't like DL, so I'm not sure that is the answer.

I am not one of these "open school" yellers and I don't think teachers are bad or lazy. We are doing the best we can and so are they.

That being said, my kids are pretty unhappy and really do want to go back to school. Both are extremely extroverted and both loved school prior to Covid and got good grades (and still are.) Yes they see friends and do extracurriculars but that is not nearly enough for them. When I hear so many people (on here and IRL) say their kids "love DL" it is incomprehensible to me, in the literal sense of the word. Are these kids just very introverted and don't require much interaction with others to be content? Did they dislike school before Covid?

Hoping for a few sincere answers before the trolls take over.