A Lonely Learning Lab
UPDATE: Opening the Doors to a New Learning Lab
by Olivia Lapinski Nov. 16, 2021
To revamp the Learning Lab concept, Learning Lab Assistants (LLA’s) are creating videos and tutorials in the corresponding Learning Lab Team. The new system began on Nov. 1, starting with survey responses from students and teachers on which topics students need the most help with. Students can request appointments on the Request for Tutoring channel in Teams. LLA’s will then contact the student within 24 hours to schedule a session during lunch or after school. Sessions are held in the media center.
The Learning Lab is experiencing lower engagement from those usually signing up for the tutoring service.
During the first quarter, the Learning Lab tutors made their comeback in providing face-to-face appointments, but not many students have come to utilize the free resource.
Some tutors began to wonder why the typically used resource is experiencing a downturn in participants. This goes for physical tutors and those needing assistance; both are not showing up at room 503 frequently if they do show at all.
“[The complete schedule] is posted for the whole school year, with four slots for each time. There’s a lot of empty spaces,” said Mrs. Culpepper, the sponsor for the service.
Some of the assistants have begun to look at this more realistically. Maybe our school does not have as many kids in need of tutoring because we are an academic magnet. Perhaps there is a lack of students because of conflicting times or insecurities about their learning capabilities.
“People don’t have time, or aren’t available [to attend],” said Juanita Mcdaniel, a Learning Lab Assistant.
This year, as clubs and sports come back to campus, many students are rejoining their favorite extra-curricular activities. An overlooked repercussion is how this diminishes the time students have to get the help they might need. Morning and lunchtime sessions try to combat this issue, but some kids take the bus to school; sometimes thirty minutes while eating lunch is not enough time to receive a solid explanation on a troublesome topic.
“I know that I am lucky to be here after school because twenty minutes at lunch couldn’t do much help for me,” said one student who attended Learning Lab during the first sessions.
Although many do not show up, the tutors want more people to come to room 503. The website says Learning Lab is by appointment only; however, this policy is set to change.
“Even if they didn’t sign up ahead of time, they can come by and scan the code posted outside as they enter,” said Mrs. Culpepper.
As the year progresses and restrictions are lifted, the assistants hope more students will find themselves in better positions to access this resource. Learning Lab is currently having tutors make video lessons that will be accessible to all students in the near future. More updates on Learning Lab can be found posted near room 503 and on the Learning Lab Team.
