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It is with this backdrop that the Los Angeles Unified School District Lausd Zoom has experienced a dramatic transition in recent years, particularly with the advent of COVID-19. Another radical change was the case with Zoom as a prime means of education delivery and interaction with others. In this article, the reader will get to evaluate the consequences the usage of Zoom present in the aspects of education and communication within LAUSD, alongside with the efficiency and the issues associated with it.
The Role of Zoom in LAUSD
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted school education and forced education stakeholders including educators and students to look at online education. Lausd Zoom, the video conferencing app that had found its way into corporate America, took the position of the main application for teaching, meetings and collaboration in distance. Unfortunately, in the face of the closures, LAUSD embraced Zoom to help the 600,000 plus learners in the district learn online.
The Effect of Zoom on Distance Education
As a software,Lausd Zoom helped the teachers to host the live streamed classes along with the sharing of important documents and real time interaction with the students. Facilitating the virtual class with a similar structure of physical classroom teaching made it possible to have face to face communication and interaction, making presentations and discussions. On the same note, some of the capabilities like screen sharing, breakout sessions, and the option to capture the meetings offered teachers all the tools they required to set up impactful lessons.
Undoubtedly, one of the benefits that many people pointed out was the communicability of Lausd Zoom. This would enable students to attend classes from home insisting on the use of computers, tablets or even smart phones. This was beneficial in filling the gaps for students who had challenges attending regular physical classes including from areas of geomorphic and or topographic challenge.
In addition, through Lausd Zoom meetings the student is allowed flexibility. The teachers could set their real-time lessons, but they were also able to upload pre-recorded classes for those who might miss the particular session or have a challenge with internet accessibility during the live lessons. This kind of learning model became critical especially within a large district like the Lausd Zoom.
Enabling Stakeholders’ Interactions
To the learners, parents, teachers and other stakeholders in the school system, Lausd Zoom was not only a learning tool but it was also used in the communication process. Daily information sharing, meetings, lessons and other discussion sessions could also be done through Lausd Zoom for administrators, parents, teachers, and students. During the days of maximum uncertainty, all due to the chat option, virtual meeting rooms, and possibilities to share documents, Lausd Zoom successfully helped us remain connected.
Parents got in touch with their child’s teacher, to listen to their child’s learning progress and to discuss any issues through Zoom. It was especially crucial in the Ravenswood area where families of immigrants who speak other languages other than English are common; the use of zoom facilitated the arrangement of translation services hence improving commutation.
At a larger level, district leaders utilized the Lausd Zoom for the townhall and other large-scale announcements to update parents and students about policies, health measures, and calendar shifts among others. This created familiarity resulting in more openness especially during the storms brought about by the pandemic.
Problems Encountered in LAUSD with Zoom Implementation
In the case of Lausd Zoom, a number of advantages could be identified, but there were also difficulties here. The first major issue that arose during the Coronavirus is the digital divide. As much as the government and schools sought to share out devices and WiFi hotspots; not all students were able to access effective internet or the right devices for interacting in online classes. Consequently, the learning loss was quickly manifested, and, in fact, many students remained unprepared for online learning.
Technical Issues
Technical difficulties as well as other logistical issues were the other difficulties faced by the respondents. For example, while using on-line resources, accessing resources from a remote location, or using IT facilities, students and teachers faced various difficulties, which could be related to technical failures with the Internet connection, software failure, or a hardware breakdown. It seemed that these problems were especially acute for students who did not have a technical person at home to assist them in technology, which led to missed lessons or difficulty.
Furthermore, the number of participants using Lausd Zoom created an extra pressure on it as a service. Now and then, servers of Zoom would slow or crash, clearly seen during the peak periods, when multiple classes could be running back to back. This affected the quality of education especially because during a live class or meeting these could interfere with the lessons.
The Names and issues of concern to the Engagement and Mental Health
Two other areas of focus for Lausd Zoom were engagement and mental health. Zoom enabled learning but it was not a match to the face-to-face contact many students required in order to succeed in their academics and wellbeing. Extended periods on screens caused screen fatigue and most of the learners reported feeling socially diminished from their friends and teachers. This proved to be even more apparent, when weeks turn into months and more students complain of anxiety and loneliness.
The teachers were also challenged when it came to sustaining the learners’ attention during virtual classes. The absence of students’ physical presence raised the issue of their attention or involvement, and thus proving quite difficult to achieve students’ participation to make an evasive classroom.
Challenges of Using Zoom At LAUSD
In response to these concerns to enhance the remote learning process in Lausd Zoom the following measures were put in place. The first public measure was the provision of increased access to computers and related equipment. In a bid to ensure that more students had CON hardware for online learning, the district provided laptops and tablets to students. Also, Lausd Zoom partnered with internet service providers to provide students in families that had no internet connection with free or dirt cheap internet.
To prevent technology challenges, LAUSD established support teams that would be able to help students and teachers if they encountered any difficulty when using Zoom. This includes problem solving on Internet connection, devices and Zoom application. They also conducted workshops to enhance educators’ Masters in using Zoom to increase efficiency in teaching, in particular, through the Zoom platform.
Moreover, LAUSD was involved in an effort of making student’s mental health a priority. All the counselors and mental health were available through video conferencing and the district assisted schools in managing students with isolation or anxiety. Teachers were also urged to make a split between live lessons and independent assignments, so students could have a break and not sit in front of the screen for hours.
Conclusion: The Effects of the Zoom on LAUSD Education
Lausd Zoom has undoubtedly changed the landscape of how LAUSD brings education, especially in this Covid-19 season. Despite the threats to learning; the digital divide, technical difficulties, and student engagement issues, the district was quick to proactively address all the measures taken. As weeks progressed the district was also able to find ways to incorporate technology into the classroom and mitigate the drawbacks of online learning.
In the future, the company is expected to remain relevant in terms of the education of learners in the Lausd Zoom system even as schools shift back to face-to-face learning. Adaptations made during COVID, including flexibility, accessibility, and technology will carry over into the consideration for hybrid and remote in the district’s future.
Undoubtedly, Zoom in education does not substitute face-to-face communication, though it expanded the opportunity to learn and communicate online. That being said, Zoom will continue to be an effective tool as LAUSD progresses further in its course of change and development.
FAQ about LAUSD and Zoom
1. What is the purpose of Zoom in the scenario of LAUSD?
In LAUSD, Zoom is central to learning, communication and interaction in a remote setting. It enables the teachers to teach the students through virtual learning, share documents and communicate. It is also used as a medium for conferences between teachers, parents and district administrators.
2. What LAUSD did in order to tackle the issue of digital divide?
LAUSD provided a variety of devices, such as laptops and tablets to students who required them and worked with ISPs to offer internet connection at subsidised rates to households. This also made it a point to facilitate more students in the preparations of the online classes.
3. What issues did LAUSD have with Zoom
These were internet connection problems, scarcities in the gadgets, technical hitch concerning Zoom applications and screen fatigue alongside feelings of loneliness. The above problems were solved by enhancing on-call technical support and counseling services.
4. What the future holds for Zoom in the context of LAUSD after the COVID-19 pandemic?
Zoom and such applications are to remain an essential part of the schools’ life, as well as means for the organization of a combination of online and in-person classes, meetings, and conversations with parents. The flexibility of Zoom has been useful as well as the accessibility has been a bonus.
5. What LAUSD initiatives were made for any Zoom related troubles?
Organizational IT support where LAUSD established individual support centres to deal with various technical difficulties such as connectivity and difficulties related to zoom. Further, there were sessions available to help educators effectively utilize the tools available in Zoom.
