Looking back on the year, the Covid-19 regulations forced many teachers to change the way they teach their classes in order to accommodate students learning online. Some classes changed more than others, including Speech and Debate.

     Speech and Debate II is taught by Kathy Sekera, who has been working at Penn-Trafford for four years. It is a class meant to teach students both verbal and nonverbal skills, along with the mechanics of giving speeches and debating. Sekera said she built the class around direct communication between teacher and students.

     This year, many students are learning from home. Due to this, Sekera had to change the way she teaches Speech a Debate II. Sekera said that while the class’s level of interactivity has not changed, “the means of interaction have.” She stated that accounting for at-home learners “greatly affects assessment, delivery techniques, and expectations.” The class heavily utilizes Google Meet. Google Meet allows students at home to enter a video call with the class in order to talk and see peers as if they were there in person.

     Sekera said that teaching the class is now more difficult. “However, it has forced and encouraged me to be creative in creating new activities and to learn new technology.” Sekera explained she had to adapt to the new circumstance but was able to keep the aspects of the class that made it fun and unique. Improvisation, student versus student debates and other activities that require person to person communication were able to remain in the curriculum.

     Unfortunately, Sekera is not the only one affected by this change. In regards to her students, Sekera said, “It is harder for them because we sometimes lose class time playing with technology, they miss true in-person interactions, and they miss the ‘fun’ of improvising with a large group in-person.” 

     Sekera gave some advice to online students taking communication-based classes.

     “Be flexible,” she suggested, adding that teachers are trying their hardest to make online students feel like they really are together. Sekera also requested that students at home to involve themselves in their classes, even if they are not physically there.