Distance learning is not a new phenomenon. Vista Virtual School has been in operation since 1996, and distance learning existed well before that – even before the advent of the Internet. Yet for the majority of students in Alberta and beyond, the COVID-19 pandemic brought about their first taste of full-fledged online education.

For some students, it proved to be a life-changing experience. Such was the case for brothers Zairyn and Logan Mierau of Langdon, Alberta (a small hamlet east of Calgary). Both joined VVS early on during the pandemic, with their parents looking for a more stable alternative to the constant back and forth between online and in-person learning. For both boys, however, the move has proved fortuitous in more ways than one.

Zairyn, age 14, is a grade 8 student at VVS and also a competitive sailor who regularly participates in regattas across Alberta and beyond. His brother Logan, age nine, is in grade 4 at VVS and is also a competitive figure skater with a gruelling training schedule for his age. Both boys have found that distance learning provides a great deal more flexibility than regular school for their athletic pursuits.

“I first heard about VVS from my mom and dad, who found out about it online,” explains Logan, who prior to 2020 was a student at Sarah Thompson School in Langdon. “I was a bit nervous about it at first because I thought I wouldn’t be able to see my friends, but I also knew I felt comfortable working at home and working online.”

Both Mierau brothers are enrolled full time at VVS. Zairyn is currently taking math, language arts, health, science, and social studies, while Logan is enrolled in social studies, science, and language arts – and has already completed his math course for the year.

Both say they have had a very positive experience with virtual school.

“I’d say it’s been a really good experience,” says Zairyn. “Most of the teachers give marks back within a few days and answer almost all my questions. They’re always a quick phone call away if I have questions, or reachable by email, and I also have Google Meets sessions to review my lessons. They help me out in the course when I have issues and check in on me when I’m close to getting behind.”

Logan concurs.

“I think it’s a bit more challenging than in-person learning, but just challenging enough,” he says. “I like the fact that you can move along as your own level. I also think there’s more support for us than in in-person learning. The challenges are greater, but so is the support. And it turns out I don’t really miss out on time with my friends because I skate competitively and I see a lot of my friends there.”

For Zairyn, who has been competing in sailing for five years, VVS means that he can bring schoolwork with him while competing in regattas, which can take place anywhere. As for Logan, who has been a competitive skater for four years, virtual learning means he is able to train in the afternoons when his local rink is less busy and does not have to miss school due to competitions, which he says are typically held on Fridays.

“I skate six days a week,” Logan explains. “I like VVS because I can usually get all of my schoolwork done in the morning and then in the afternoons I can either play or train.”

Zairyn, whose sailing season is set to begin shortly, is enthused to have gotten ahead in his studies.

“The school year has been going really well,” he says. “In science I’m already on my Unit E project, which is the last project of the school year.”

Both boys say they would recommend VVS to others, while conceding that the model doesn’t perhaps suit every learner.

“I would definitely recommend it, especially to kids who want to do their schoolwork online and don’t want to miss out on things,” says Zairyn. “For me I didn’t want to miss any school due to COVID, and now I like it because I don’t get held back by students who are always behind (because of the pandemic).”

“Everyone is different, but for anyone who likes more challenging work or likes to finish early, I would recommend it,” says Logan.

And what is their advice to fellow students interested in pursuing online learning?

“Make sure to submit all your schoolwork on time and set a schedule for when you do your subjects,” Zairyn suggests. “The science experiments are really fun and I usually do them after school hours.”

“Try your hardest and never give up,” says Logan. “I try to stay organized by having separate desk drawers that are labelled according to subject; that way I don’t lose time looking for the right materials. That really helps when you’re trying to get everything done in the morning like I like to do.”

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Are you a Vista Virtual School student? Would you like to share your story of virtual learning? If so, we would love to hear from you. Please contact communications coordinator Ben Freeland at ben.freeland@pembinahills.ca if you would like to be profiled.