by Cara Coombs
Minarets administration hosted a virtual feedback forum with several students and teacher representatives on Jan. 14, 2021. Many topics concerning distance-learning were discussed at the forum, hosted via WebEx, with students contributing both through the chatbox as well as live with their cameras and microphones on. Such topics that came up included the pros and cons of requiring students to have their cameras on during class as well as using a new WebEx feature called “breakout rooms” in which students can be grouped together to complete assignments during class. Senior Johanna Ziegler, an attendee, explained the purpose of the forum, saying, “The whole point of holding the student forum was to reinforce the idea that the students at Minarets do have a voice and that that voice matters...with this forum, the students are given back some power and control over their learning.”
Throughout the forum, Dr. Daniel Ching, principal of Minarets, acted as the facilitator of the forum, asking the attendees what they thought was and was not working in the distanced learning program and asked what could be improved in the program. Many, if not all, of the students, responded with personal feedback. Another attendee was history teacher Bob Kelly, who explained, "Mostly the students just talked and the teachers and Dr. Ching just listened after he asked the questions.” Overall, the meeting was a success, and the administration is hoping to continue hosting additional forums with other students throughout the rest of the year.