Photo sciences student documents his distance learning experience
Daniel Bacon
Some days required driving to the grocery store, wearing a surgical mask. 2 p.m., Thursday, April 23.
While Daniel Bacon, 20, a second-year photographic sciences major in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences at RIT, did not know what to expect with the move to distance learning in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, he was not surprised his “photo tech” professors managed the shift smoothly.
“I was honestly impressed by how well my classes adapted to online learning,” said Bacon, who never envisioned his Denver, Colo., bedroom would become a virtual classroom. “I was not necessarily surprised by this. I think that's because almost all of my professors are technically savvy, and are good communicators.”
The biggest challenge, he admitted, was staying focused in a house with his twin sibling, Aaron, also unexpectedly managing learning in the virtual environment. “I definitely noticed how it’s harder to focus on work while at home,” he noted.
“It helped to have an isolated space that's dedicated to doing schoolwork, and I think I'm lucky to have that at home,” Bacon added. “It also was really important to keep in contact with my professors because it’s so easy to become detached from school and fall behind.”
The two-hour time difference between Rochester, N.Y., and his Colorado home did pose some challenges, he admitted. “My earliest class started at 10 a.m. EST, but 8 a.m. in Denver,” he mused. “I woke up with just enough time to get coffee and a bowl of cereal before connecting to the Zoom lecture.”
Sharply focused
After the shift to distance learning in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, RIT students like photographic sciences major Daniel Bacon had to seamlessly transition to classes in the virtual space. Here, in his own photos and words, is a week from late April.
Daniel Bacon
The view outside of my bedroom window at my dad’s house. 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 21.
Daniel Bacon
Working on homework after a Zoom lecture. Having a live lecture in a private space such as a bedroom was strange at first, but I quickly grew used to it. 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 22.
Daniel Bacon
Eating lunch in the backyard at my dad’s house. With everyone in my household hard at work, we usually ate lunch alone when we had time. 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22.
Daniel Bacon
For my twin and I, living at “home” really meant living at two homes. We switched between my mom’s and my dad’s houses on a schedule once or twice a week. This meant bringing all of my stuff with me each time we changed houses. While I brought three bags, a guitar and an amp, my twin just carried his backpack. 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22.
Daniel Bacon
Left image: Dinner delivered to my mom’s house. It was always left at the door to reduce person-to-person contact. 6:25 p.m. Wednesday, April 22. Right image: My twin brother, just trying to get a bite of his dinner. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22.
Daniel Bacon
My neighborhood grocery store. On weekends there was a line of people, each six feet apart, stretching down the side of the store behind overturned shopping carts. One person was let in at a time to avoid overcrowding the store. 2 p.m. Thursday, April 23.
Daniel Bacon
Playing games on my PS4. I played a lot of games to pass the extra time and de-stress. I also enjoyed playing with my brothers so we can spend more time together. 6 p.m. Thursday, April 23.
Daniel Bacon
Practicing guitar. I played most often when I needed a break from homework, or in between classes. 9 p.m. Thursday, April 23.
Daniel Bacon
Watching a Zoom lecture. Prior to the change to distance learning, my earliest class started at 10 EST, but 8 a.m. in Denver. I usually woke up with just enough time to get coffee and a bowl of cereal before connecting to the Zoom lecture. 8 a.m. Friday, April 24.
Daniel Bacon
Working on physics homework. Our homework for UP2 was always online, so studying for physics didn’t change much. 3 p.m. Friday, April 24.
Recommended News
-
April 15, 2024
![A beaded gemstone necklace set against a red background.]()
From pixels to pearls, design student flexes creative versatility
Whether it’s hand-crafting a stool, making a bag in a soft goods class, designing a website, painting, or threading gemstone beads onto metal wire to create her signature necklaces, Tobi Ashiru '25 (industrial design) takes advantage of a wide range of studio courses.
-
April 11, 2024
![a child and an adult are seen at a ballfield photgraphing the sky during the eclipse.]()
RIT photography class prepared students for eclipse day
WHEC talks to Jenn Poggi and Josh Meltzer, associate professors in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences, about using the eclipse as a photography learning experience.
-
April 11, 2024
![RIT’s Game Symphony Orchestra is shown rehearsing in a performance room.]()
RIT’s Game Symphony Orchestra celebrates the music of video games
Finals week is approaching and, in addition to studying, a club of students, nearly 150 strong, gather to perform “Snake Eater” from the video game Metal Gear Solid 3, the title theme from Octopath Traveler, and “The Battle at the Summit” from Pokémon Sun and Moon.
-
April 8, 2024
![Student Kristy Sorochan operates an 11x14 large format camera during the eclipse.]()
Students capture dramatic midday twilight during eclipse totality
College of Art and Design students were out in force documenting the rare total solar eclipse seen in Rochester, N.Y., and other parts of the country.
