THREE FORKS – A suspected explosive device was found Saturday evening at Williams’ Bridge Fishing Access Site along the Jefferson River.  

Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue personnel found what appeared to be a pipe bomb in the river while conducting training at the site. Game wardens with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks closed the site and the nearby Sappington Bridge Fishing Access Site during the investigation.  

Explosive ordinance disposal technicians from Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls came to the site and detonated the device Sunday morning. Williams’ Bridge and Sappington Bridge fishing access sites were reopened to the public later that morning.  

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is leading the ongoing investigation into the device.

“We’re grateful to Gallatin County and Malmstrom Air Force Base personnel for their collaborative response in this situation. Thanks to these efforts, we were able to safely reopen these sites to the public,” said FWP Warden Capt. Adam Pankratz. “This is also a good reminder to use caution and carefully inspect items we would normally think of as litter before picking them up.” 

Those with information that may be helpful in this investigation are asked to contact the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office at 406-582-2100. 

A Montana State University nursing economist was featured in a recent New York Times article about a nationwide shortage of nurses and the risks that accompany the shortage.

The piece, “‘Nursing is in crisis’: Staff shortages put patients at risk,” was published Aug. 21 and included quotes from MSU nursing professor Peter Buerhaus, an expert on the economics of the nursing workforce and head of the MSU Center for Interdisciplinary Health Workforce Studies.

“Nursing shortages have long vexed hospitals,” wrote New York Times health and science reporter Andrew Jacobs. “But in the year and a half since its ferocious debut in the United States, the coronavirus pandemic has stretched the nation’s nurses as never before, testing their skills and stamina as desperately ill patients with a poorly understood malady flooded emergency rooms.”

Jacobs went on to note that nurses remained steadfast amid a shortage of personal protective equipment, and, spurred by a sense of duty, nurses flocked to hot zones and sometimes worked as volunteers. He reported that more than 1,200 nurses nationwide have died from the coronavirus.

Jacobs continued: “Now, as the highly contagious delta variant pummels the United States, bedside nurses, the workhorse of a well-oiled hospital, are depleted and traumatized, their ranks thinned by early retirements or career shifts that traded the emergency room for less stressful nursing jobs at schools, summer camps and private doctor’s offices.”

And, he noted, “across the country, the shortages are complicating efforts to treat hospitalized coronavirus patients, leading to longer emergency room waiting times and rushed or inadequate care as health workers struggle to treat patients who often require exacting, round-the-clock attention.”

Furthermore, Jacobs wrote, when hospitals lack nurses to treat those who need less intensive care, emergency rooms and I.C.U.s are unable to move out patients, creating a traffic jam that limits their ability to admit new ones.

Jacobs wrote that MSU’s Buerhaus was included in the story as being “especially rattled” by two data points: “A third of the nation’s nurses were born during the baby boom years, with 640,000 nearing retirement; and the demographic bulge of aging boomers needing intensive medical care will only increase the demand for hospital nurses.”

“I’m raising the yellow flag because a sudden withdrawal of so many experienced nurses would be disastrous for hospitals,” Buerhaus said in the article.

Jacobs wrote that many experts fear the exodus will accelerate as the pandemic drags on and burnout intensifies and that surveys suggest that nurses are feeling increasingly embattled. Nurses are also angry that so many Americans have refused to get vaccinated, Jacobs wrote.

“They feel betrayed and disrespected,” Buerhaus said.

Jacobs noted that there is not a simple solution, and increasing the nation’s nursing workforce is no easy task. “The United States is producing about 170,000 nurses a year, but 80,000 qualified applicants were rejected in 2019 because of a lack of teaching staff,” he wrote.

On Aug. 30, the MSU College Nursing announced a gift of $101 million from Mark and Robyn Jones, founders of Goosehead Insurance Inc., who have a home in Whitefish. The gift — the largest ever given to a college of nursing, as well as the largest private gift in the history of the state of Montana — will allow the college to meet the state’s projected shortfall in baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses by 2030, and it will also allow the college to double the number of family nurse practitioners and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners that graduate from MSU by 2030, and to start a certified nurse midwifery program, according to Sarah Shannon, dean of the college. Ultimately, the gift aims to help increase access to health care in Montana, particularly primary, mental health and maternal care in rural and remote areas. More information is available at montana.edu/news/21412.

The full New York Times story is available online at nytimes.com/2021/08/21/health/covid-nursing-shortage-delta.html.

Fire restrictions still in effect in some areas 

BOZEMAN – Fire restrictions have been updated for properties managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in several counties. 

Fire restrictions have been rescinded for FWP properties in Deer Lodge, Granite, Gallatin and Park counties. Stage-1 fire restrictions are still in effect for FWP properties in Madison, Beaverhead, Silver Bow, Jefferson, and Lewis and Clark counties.  

Stage-1 restrictions at FWP sites ban campfires except where specifically exempted and allow smoking only in vehicles and areas 3 feet in diameter that are cleared of flammable materials. Gas or propane stoves that can be turned on and off are still allowed.  

Fireworks are always prohibited at FWP sites.  

Fire restrictions are in effect in other areas of Montana. For more information, visit mtfireinfo.org. 

HKHF Initiative Has Invested More Than $1.5M in Montana Since 2014

HELENA — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) awarded Youth Homes a $50,000 Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® (HKHF) grant Friday, Sept. 3 to bolster the organization’s Shelter Care Program through a greater emphasis on a comprehensive staff support system.

Since 1971, Youth Homes has provided services for youth and families, including a network of shelters in Montana. The Margaret Stuart Youth Home in Helena, Linda Massa Youth Home in Hamilton, and Flathead Youth Home in Kalispell offer short- and long-term shelter care, while the Shirley Miller Attention Home in Missoula provides short-term shelter care.

The HKHF initiative is an ongoing commitment by BCBSMT to invest in and partner with like-minded nonprofit organizations that offer sustainable, measurable programs to reach children and their families in the five following focus areas: nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention and management, substance abuse prevention, and suicide prevention.

“Youth Homes plays a vital role in the lives of many disadvantaged Montana children and we are proud to support their efforts to improve the health and wellness of those in their care,” said John Doran, BCBSMT Divisional Vice President of External Affairs. “We care deeply about the physical, social and emotional wellness of our communities, and Youth Homes is a great partner in our effort to support those in need.”

Youth Homes shelter care offers short-term care for youth who are out of their homes because of a crisis, have concerns about the safety or stability of their home, or who are awaiting a longer-term placement. The goal of the of shelter care is to keep youth stable and safe until they can be placed in an appropriate, more permanent setting, with three weeks being the average length of stay.

The grant will support efforts to address all five HKHF focus areas, such and providing for healthy and reliable meals, physical and recreational opportunities, facilitation of medical appointments, training and support for staff around substance abuse prevention, and training in youth mental health.

Learn more about Youth Homes at www.youthhomesmt.org.

Since 2014, BCBSMT has awarded more than $1.5 million through the HKHF initiative. In addition, BCBSMT contributes more than $500,000 each year to nonprofit organizations that support efforts throughout the state to improve the health of all Montanans. BCBSMT also presents the Governor’s Cup each June and supports the Caring Foundation of Montana’s Care Van program, which provides access to preventive health care services at low or no cost. The Governor’s Cup, which has been running strong since 1974, promotes the benefits of physical activity though running and walking, is host to more than 4,500 participants each year, whose race fees directly benefit the Caring Foundation of Montana.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSMT is the largest and longest-standing statewide, customer-owned health insurer and full-service health benefits administrator in Montana. BCBSMT has provided high-quality health insurance plans and administrative services to Montanans for more than 80 years and is committed to ensuring its members — no matter where they are on the health spectrum — achieve maximum health. Headquartered in Helena with five regional offices, BCBSMT’s purpose is to stand with its members in sickness and in health.

Just like any other city in the United States, Bozeman has numerous upmarket restaurants that serve pleasant food and drinks. While many of these eateries can cost an arm and a leg, it comes as no surprise that some remain ridiculously affordable despite the class. Wondering which restaurants those are? Fair enough, here are five restaurants I thought you should know:

Montana Ale Works

Montana Ale Works is one of the best high-class yet affordable restaurants in Bozeman. The 4.6-star eatery is located at 611 E Main St, Bozeman, MT, United States. That is not to mention that it's open daily from 4-10 pm. A wide range of mouthwatering and well-prepared delicacies are served here. These include Caribbean dishes, Spanish dishes, salads, trout, steaks, bison burgers, bison potstickers, baked pasta dishes, and sandwiches. Ale Works serves the best burgers in town, at least according to customer feedback.

Customers can choose either dine-in, delivery, or curbside pickup service options. The third option allows you to order and collect your order(s) from a local store partnering with the hotel.

Montana Ale Works is also an affordable place to drink beer. There are Happy Hour specials daily from 4-6 pm. During these hours, you and your friends can get to enjoy a range of beer selections for less.

Feast Raw Bar & Bistro

Feast Raw Bar & Bistro is situated at 270 W Kagy Blvd Ste C, Bozeman, MT 59715, United States. Open from 5-9 pm daily, this upscale restaurant serves delicious seafood dishes, raw snacks, plus cocktails.

Here's where you'll get the chance to enjoy a well-prepared ceviche(a South American delicacy consisting of seafood or marinated raw fish), raw oyster, bison carpaccio, or poached shrimp. They also serve Vietnamese chicken wings, chickpea Panelles, French fries, crispy Brussels sprouts, and steamed mussels. You can also order some tasty salt-roasted oysters or mezze platter here. What sets Feast Raw Bar & Bistro apart from other high-class yet affordable restaurants is the basis of their meals and the type of ingredients used to make them. The meals are inspired by cuisines from around the world and made with seasonal organic ingredients.

Happy hours are from 5-6 pm. If you order during these hours, you'll enjoy their offerings for much less. The service options are dine-in and takeaway. Unfortunately, the restaurant doesn't do deliveries.

Blackbird Kitchen

Located at 140 E Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA, Blackbird is another incredible place where you can enjoy quality food for less. The restaurant serves North American and Italian cuisines, for the better part. Their main menu consists of different kinds of food categories. These include pizza, meat(beef sirloin, leg of lamb, and pork belly), and salad(Romaine, chopped greens, & kale). Another category is starters(Blackbird bread, cheese board, roasted broccolini, and so on). The restaurant is open daily from 4.40-9 pm. There are only two service options; dine-in and curbside pickup. Just like Feast Raw Bar & Bistro, this restaurant doesn’t do deliveries.

Dave’s Sushi

Just like the name suggests, Dave's Sushi is a Sushi restaurant even though it also serves a few other non-sushi delicacies. It's located at 115 N Bozeman Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715, United States. Its menu consists of nigiri sushi, temaki sushi, maki sushi, and sashimi. Salads, noodles, specialty rolls, starters, and spice-it-ups are also parts of it.

Dave's Sushi offers dine-in and curbside pickup options only. As such, this might not be the right option if you are looking for restaurant food delivery.

The beauty of this eatery is that it offers more business hours, at least 10-1/2 hours per day. Plus, it opens daily, not to mention that the business hours vary from some days to others. For example, the restaurant is open from 11 am-9.30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, its business hours are from 11 am-10 pm.

South 9th Bistro

South 9th Bistro is a beautiful restaurant housed in a renovated Victorian building. This eatery is situated at 721 S 9th Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715, United States. It offers a distinctive menu that consists of different food categories;

i. Appetizers-hummus, smoked trout rillettes, and tartine.
ii. Gluten-free salads-Paris spinach, Bozeman beet, and Nicoise.
iii. Gluten-free entrees-roast chicken, sauteed trout, and pork glace.
iv. Desserts-banana bread pudding, crack tart, and gluten-free chocolate espresso hazelnut mousse. Beer and wine are also sold here at very pocket-friendly prices.

Customers can choose to dine-in, takeaway, or order for delivery. There's no curbside pickup option, though. Please note that the venue is open Monday through Saturday from 1-10 pm.

Final Thoughts

Eating good food at a nice restaurant in Bozeman shouldn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg when you know where to go. Try each of the following restaurants, and you can thank me later; Montana Ale Works, Feast Raw Bar & Bistro, Blackbird Kitchen, Dave’s Sushi, and South 9th Bistro. Each of these upmarket restaurants serves perfect foods prepared to high standards. Take advantage of the Happy Hours offered by some restaurants to save even more on mouth-watering delicacies and drinks.

By the way, Sun Basket offers two delicious kinds of mezze platters. One consists of chicken and spicy tahini dressing. The other one has lamb, eggplant, and hard-cooked eggs.

The reason why I mentioned Sun Basket is that it's one of the top-rated meal kit providers out there. It compares to the likes of Green Chef, Purple Carrot, Veestro, and Fresh n’ Lean. That’s not to mention Splendid Spoon, Factor, Daily Harvest, and BistroMD.

Having said that, the August 2021 review post talks about each entity in detail. Find out what are the best features of Sun Basket, plus the other organic meal kit providers above by reading the post. Discover the flexible meal plans that Sun Basket offers, and so much more from the article.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Montana State University will present “The State of the Bozeman and Gallatin County” for its first Friday Forum of the fall semester. The event will take place virtually from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10. It is free and open to the public.

Bozeman Deputy Mayor Terry Cunningham, Gallatin County Commissioner Scott MacFarlane and community planning specialist Randy Carpenter of Future West will provide insights, examples and recommendations for how the city of Bozeman and Gallatin County currently work together and could work together in the future to meet the needs of the rapidly growing communities.  

The panel will address the ramifications of rapid growth on water resources, infrastructure, housing, transportation and open space. The need for ongoing regional cooperation and examples of how local governments can coordinate will also be discussed. 

Participants must register no later than 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 10. For more information or to register, visit montana.edu/olli/register. Upon registration confirmation, participants will receive an email with the Zoom link and instructions to join the program.

Friday Forums are offered on the second Friday of each month, September through May, by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at MSU. OLLI at MSU is a program of Academic Technology and Outreach. ATO works across the university to support and advance its land-grant mission through unique and innovative opportunities for outreach and engagement.

For a third year running, Montana State University recorded an all-time high for research expenditures, tallying more than $193 million for the fiscal year ending in June. 

That figure marks a 16% increase over the previous year’s total expenditures of $167 million reported to the National Science Foundation and adds to more than a decade of research expenditures topping $100 million, according to Jason Carter, MSU’s vice president for research, economic development and graduate education.  

"Despite the disruptions of the pandemic, research at MSU had another remarkable year because of the commitment of our faculty, staff and students," Carter said. "Their passion for what they do every day really shined through."

According to Carter, the past year showed diversified investment across MSU's research entities, substantially addressing “grand challenges” identified in MSU’s strategic plan, “Choosing Promise,” including community wellness, food and fuel security, and environmental stewardship.

The College of Agriculture recorded the largest figure, nearly $46 million, followed by the College of Letters and Sciences at $22 million and the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering at $18 million. The College of Nursing tallied $7 million, with the College of Education, Health and Human Development at $5 million. MSU's MilTech had a total of $22 million in expenditures, while the Western Transportation Institute had $5 million and the Center for American Indian and Rural Health Equity had nearly $3 million.

MSU is recognized as R1, or "very high research activity," by the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research’s Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, more frequently know as simply the “Carnegie Classification." Montana State is one of only 131 universities nationwide in that category and the only one in the five-state region of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and North and South Dakota, as well as one of only two nationally also classified as having very high undergraduate enrollment.

A total of 516 faculty and professional staff served as principal investigators or co-investigators on competitive grant projects. There were 672 new grants or contracts awarded, totaling nearly $121 million, a 21% increase from the prior year. That funding will be expended over time frames ranging from months to years. Research expenditures in 2020-2021 directly supported more than 450 graduate students and more than 500 undergraduates.

Scholarship highlights from the past year include: 

• An innovative radiation-tolerant spacecraft computing technology developed over the past decade by engineering researcher Brock LaMeres was scheduled for testing aboard a 2023 NASA mission to the moon.
• With $6 million from the Air Force Research Laboratory, engineering researcher John Roudas and his team are helping to pioneer the quantum internet, which harnesses the complex properties of light to improve speed and security.
• In the College of Education, Health and Human Development, Vanessa Simonds is leading a $1 million NSF-funded project to develop educational programs for improving water quality on the Crow Indian Reservation.
• A team led by Lee Spangler in MSU’s Energy Research Institute was awarded $3.5 million from the Army Research Lab to develop a new generation of batteries that can hold more power and charge faster while also being safer and more resilient to extreme environments.
• In the College of Nursing, a $50,000 grant is being used to expand dental care and health screenings to children on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
• Researchers in the College of Agriculture received $5.1 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to explore the food and biofuel potential of camelina, a multi-use oilseed crop similar to canola.
• With $3 million in renewed funding from the NSF, the Montana Nanotechnology Facility at MSU will continue providing cutting-edge equipment and technical assistance for research and development involving the ultra-small scale.
• A team led by physics researcher Amy Reines won a $750,000 NASA grant to study the origins of supermassive black holes, the mysterious masses that consume matter at the center of large galaxies.
• As part of a $500,000 NSF-funded project, a team of engineering researchers led by Chelsea Heveran is exploring the potential for fungi to make a recyclable concrete-like material.
• In the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship, a $3 million gift is helping to launch a new master’s program designed to provide professionals in early stages of their careers with skills that enable them to be more effective leaders, innovators and team members.
• Two MSU professors won the NSF’s top award for early-career researchers, carrying funding of $600,000 or more: computer science researcher Brittany Fasy studies method of finding patterns in complex datasets, and education researcher Bryce Hughes studies the experience of LGBTQ students in science, technology, engineering and math fields.
• With $300,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a team of researchers in the College of Agriculture and College of Education, Health and Human Development is studying how household food waste could be diverted from landfills and processed into biogas.
• A team led by computer science researcher Laura Stanley received $1.2 million from the NSF to explore the use of augmented reality devices to help treat opioid addiction.
• Chemistry researcher Michael Mock won a $475,000 NSF grant to study how new catalysts could use nitrogen in the air to store energy generated by solar panels and other sources.

Also among the funding MSU received during the past year were two grants totaling $1.5 million through NSF’s Major Research Instrumentation program, which supports acquisition of state-of-the-art scientific equipment. The two infrastructure grants enabled purchase of a specialized device for MSU’s Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility and a versatile, custom-made microscope housed in the Center for Biofilm Engineering, which was also supported with a $513,000 grant from the M.J. Murdoch Charitable Trust. Over the two-decade history of the NSF Major Research Instrumentation program, MSU has received 26 grants totaling $13.2 million, ranking it No. 1 among other peer institutions, ahead of Oregon State University, Virginia Tech and Clemson University.

This year's research funding and accomplishments have extra significance because they come amid the pandemic, Carter said. Although some universities almost entirely shut down their research operations with the rise of COVID-19 cases, MSU was able to put safety procedures in place that allowed researchers to mostly continue their projects. The effort to understand and contain the spread of the coronavirus also led to multiple MSU research teams retooling their labs to help.

“It was incredible to see a number of our faculty and researchers pivot their programs to study the virus,” Carter said. “This included research on wastewater, mental health, epidemiological modeling, how the virus impacted rural and tribal communities, and much more.”

MSU research is well-known for its engagement of undergraduate students in research and is a national leader in securing prestigious Goldwater Scholarships. A total of 82 MSU students have won the award, the nation’s premier scholarship for undergraduates studying math, natural sciences and engineering. Also this year, three MSU graduates drew upon their undergraduate research experiences to win NSF Graduate Research Fellowships, and three current MSU graduate students also won that award. And numerous MSU graduate students and postdoctoral researchers won prestigious awards, including the Ford Fellowship. 

Throughout many decades people couldn't stop stressing the importance of reading. The process of reading is associated with a variety of benefits, including stress relief, enhanced imagination, better memory, vocabulary expansion, cognitive mental stimulation, and many others. However, one thing that people don't talk about quite as much is the importance of reading aloud.

Most of us are long used to reading silently. Either due to the desire to gain some privacy in the process, because we don't want to bother people around us, or maybe just because it feels weird. Regardless of the reasons, this habit has rooted in many of us deeply enough.

But have you ever thought about what benefits you can get from reading out loud? If not, read on to find out the most significant reasons to start doing it now.

Personal Benefits of Reading Aloud

This approach to reading has a number of personal benefits that you can feel when reading out loud alone.

First of all, if you are still a student, it can be very helpful to read your academic papers, especially personal statements, aloud. Regardless of whether you've written the work yourself or asked admission essay service professionals for help, most likely, you will want to proofread the paper before submitting it. And, you may not know this yet, but simply reading it silently won't help you make it truly flawless.

The thing is that when we read the text out loud, we receive the same information, but from a different angle, which enables us to notice things we might've missed before. Namely, it will help assess the logical flow of the ideas. When reading aloud, you can't jump back and forth from one page to another. So, all that is left is following the order of ideas as they appear in the paper. And that's when you can start noticing if your work doesn't sound logical and coherent.

Apart from evaluating the flow of ideas, reading your papers aloud also helps spot errors in sentences. For example, when you accidentally leave out words, make typos or grammar mistakes, or use a wrong word, you may not always notice this when reading silently. But you probably will if you read it out loud. However, it is worth noting that this approach to proofreading works best for native speakers.

Finally, reading out loud your academic papers can help you spot mistakes other than grammar. For example, when your sentences are too long or when there are too many repetitions, you will easily hear them. It can also help in assessing the tone of voice.

There are also a number of benefits directly linked to your language and vocabulary. If you are a native speaker, reading out loud may not make any real difference, though it will give you some extra practice. However, if you are not a native speaker, reading aloud can really help you train your pronunciation and expand your vocabulary.

In addition, specialists claim that reading aloud helps children, as well as adults, improve their attention spans. When we read silently, many of us tend to cut down words and whole sentences, jump from one paragraph to another, and, thus, skip a large part of the information. However, when you read out loud, you remain much more concentrated.

The last one of the significant personal benefits is enhanced cognition. When you are concentrated and exposed to sophisticated literary language, your cognitive abilities strengthen. This way, reading aloud can also provide you with long-term benefits.

Social Benefits of Reading Out Loud

In addition to the personal benefits one gets when reading aloud on their own, there is also a number of "social" benefits that occur when students are reading out loud in a group. First, when teachers incorporate this method into the program, it helps create a stronger classroom community. Students learn to speak out and listen to each other. This way, we can foster mutual respect and a stronger bond.

Another big benefit is the improvement of listening skills. We all know how important these skills are, and making reading aloud a form of instruction is one of the ways to build them.

In addition, reading a shared text out loud is typically followed by a class discussion. And it also brings a number of benefits. Namely, such discussions are proven to hone students' critical thinking skills. This method encourages students to be attentive, connect ideas, and use the knowledge they have to analyze the piece.

So, the benefits are real. Not without reason, professors always read lectures to the class aloud instead of asking students to read the text silently.

The Bottom Line

Apart from many well-known benefits of reading, doing it out loud can offer even more perks.

After reading this article, you know what specific social and personal perks it can bring. So, if you are not using it to your benefit yet, it is just the right time to start!

When the impacts of COVID-19 hit the educational sector in full force, schools scrambled to adapt to the pandemic. They adopted a new system of learning that'd keep both students and educators safe from the virus.

And this switch led to significant changes in the educational system, the most notable being the mass adoption of distance learning systems.

As parents and students alike tried to adapt to the challenges of the necessary switch to distance learning, educators did not consider the effects of distance learning on students' academic performance.

In this article, we will discuss how changing to distance learning has affected students' performance worldwide.

Reliance on Alternative Academic Resources

After the switch to online learning, students lost access to libraries and other school-provided academic resources.

Some schools attempted to provide online resources to fill this void, but it was largely insufficient. As a result, most students had to look for alternative resources to keep up with school work.

Students also had to rely on YouTube videos and other educational apps to help make the transition to distance learning more manageable.

Moreover, most students pay someone to write my paper and essays to keep up with assignments and school work in general. This has ultimately improved the performance of most students.

Lack of Physical Contact with Peers

A significant reason why students want to return to in-person classes is because of the physical interactions. 

Teachers have attempted to use interactive ed-tech tools to make online classes engaging, but the fact remains that it's not a substitute for actually being surrounded by classmates. 

More than 50% of students who switched to distance learning still find the lack of personal interaction with peers distressing. And this possibly affects their concentration levels and overall performance.

The Absence of Pressure to Perform

Research has shown that academic pressure is the most significant challenge students encounter nowadays, placing it above peer pressure.

Given the structure of distance learning and the fact that the transition might be difficult for some students, schools have become more lenient with grading and coursework.

Some schools have entirely modified their grading system to lessen the burden on pupils by implementing a 'less judgmental' system.

Unfortunately, the long-term effects of this lax grading system are still unknown. 

Struggles with Mental Health

If you've heard the term "Zoom fatigue," you'll have an idea of the mental strain that online learning places on pupils. Zoom fatigue refers to the exhaustion that people experience after spending a lengthy period on video conferencing classes.

Although there is no formal diagnosis, it is still a common concern for students today. Besides, sitting in front of a screen for long hours is emotionally tasking.

Students experience emotions of loneliness, isolation, anxiety, and depression due to a lack of social engagement. This all goes back to that lack of physical contact with peers. And while adults can cope to some extent, most students struggle to manage with this enforced loneliness. 

Adaptation to New Learning Methods

Distance learning focuses on digital tools, most of which are relatively new to academia. Learning platforms like WolframAlpha and other virtual labs have become part of the regular curriculum. And as a result, students have to adapt to these services in a very short time.

Adapting to distance learning was quite a challenge at the onset of the pandemic because it was entirely new to most students.

However, few activities like orientations and seminars have helped students adapt better. Before the pandemic, most students did not have functional study spaces, but the transition to online learning has emphasized the need for one. 

Better Time Management with Self-Paced Learning

Online learning may be a new learning curve for students, but adapting to new learning methods has its advantages. Students can self-pace themselves and better manage their time, resulting in more efficient learning. 

Rather than sitting in class all day, students are now taking more breaks to exercise and unwind before returning to work, which has proven highly advantageous to their grades.

Decline in Cases of Abuse and Discrimination

Some students might miss physical learning and school in general, but the switch to online learning has been a blessing to others. Students who get picked on and abused in school have had a far better time learning from home and are reluctant to return to the status quo.

Although cyberbullying is on the rise, students can easily report the bullies without fear of retribution. Also, teachers can identify and punish bullies, thereby making the classroom safer for students.

Lack of Motivation to Study

One of the factors that motivate students to study is peer relationships. In every class, there's always a healthy sense of competition that drives students to perform better to get bragging rights.

But the forced isolation and switch to online learning has deprived students of that extra bit of motivation.

Besides, the leniency in grading has also contributed to this lack of motivation. Even the top performers no longer feel the urge to put in their best efforts in class. After all, there is no incentive to burn the midnight oil.

Conclusion

The long-term effects of the switch to distance learning should be a cause for concern. Although there are positives to distance learning, the well-being of students must take priority moving forward. School administrators must take measures to make sure students come out of this phase with good physical and psychological health. 

As more information about the effects of online learning comes to light, parents and teachers must be proactive to mitigate the adverse effects. We should all work together to make online learning a safe and viable learning method until everything returns to normal.

On Thursday, Aug. 26, watercraft inspectors at the Nashua station inspected an outboard motorboat with mussels on the transducer, gimbal and other areas of the transom. The motorboat was traveling from Lake Erie to Kalispell. This is the 50th mussel-fouled boat intercepted this year, surpassing the total number of 35 mussel-fouled boats intercepted in 2020.

The Nashua watercraft inspection station, located on Highway 2, is operated by the McCone Conservation District under a contract with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. 

Statewide, 94,800 watercraft inspections have been conducted this year, slightly down from the 112,300 number of inspections conducted at this time last year.

FWP reminds anyone transporting motorized or nonmotorized boats into Montana that an inspection is required before launching, and stopping at ALL open watercraft inspection stations is required. Failing to stop at an inspection station can result in a fine of up to $500. 

Boaters should ensure their watercraft, trailer and all equipment that is in contact with water (anchor, lines, swim ladder, etc.) is clean, drained of water and dry. 

Learn more at CleanDrainDryMT.com or call the FWP Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau at 406-444-2440.