Virtual Aral 2020: What Mag-aarOL are you?

As the COVID-19 pandemic modified the ways we live, the demand for a more flexible learning opportunity has increased; bidding farewell to the days of the traditional learning style and face-to-face learning. With the “new normal” starting to kick in in the Philippines’ system, a new challenge has surfaced to all the teachers and students nationwide: Online classes.

Join in on every online meeting, and you’re bound to find these five types of online students, also known as the Mag-aarOL;

1. The Visual Artist

Ready for a photoshoot with vogue? Or an online trip to the beach? With a hundred backdrops to choose from during online classes, you can customize all you want while fulfilling that desire for eye candy during discussions.

2. The Five-Minute Master

During the golden days of traditional classes, this would practically be impossible. But now, with online classes being an option, you can say goodbye to the cold morning showers and say hello to extra minutes of your beauty rest! From waking up at 6 am and preparing for classes in only 5 minutes with a super simplified morning routine, many have mastered this five-minute technique.

3. The Reconnecter

With the Philippines’ internet speed still below global average according to the Speedtest Global Index, one of your biggest enemies during online classes is the internet connection. One second your teacher’s audio sounds like a robot, the next thing you know you’re disconnected from the class.

4. The Sneaky Snacker

Tummy grumbling louder than your teacher’s audio? Time to put those stealthy skills to good use, without worrying about that crunchy noise you make when munching in class, or that infamous rustling sound a chip bag makes that instantly attracts at least three people to share with your food.

5. The Freezer

Wondering why all your classmates' video feed suddenly stopped moving is also one of the common problems students and teachers face during online meetings. But don’t worry, you weren't uninvited to a virtual stop-dance party! Most probably the problem is in your connection or device, nothing a quick restart of the app or the router can’t fix.

There’s no doubt that every person is unique in their own way, and as generations come and go, the present builds and molds new students that bear what is yet to come. The question left in the present is: what Mag-aarOL are you?