In this episode we address some very pressing teacher needs. What do you do with many days of virtual learning in a row? Remotely educated students have very different needs. Our conversation starts with what to do if your district is not so fortunate to be 1:1 in the tech world. We then share some go to tech and ideas to maximize learning when the teacher is not directly present. This is a difficult but potentially valuable task.
School Closings due to Health Related Emergencies
Here we are in a crazy time. In attempt to flatten the curve and manage the transmission of COVID-19 many schools across the country have closed for 14+ days. For many this is around spring break and thus lessening the unplanned burden on families and teachers. For others there is no good time for this to happen. We are placed in an awkward situation trying to prove our classroom value in a rather difficult to manage situation of delivering quality instruction to our students remotely for 2-3 weeks.
Equity is an Issue
In our districts we are fortunate to be 1:1. Our districts have made arrangements to provide Wifi hotspots for students without internet, which is actually a small number. Not so many areas of the country are as fortunate. Expecting a teacher to deliver through technology may not be a luxury. We also worry about those who depend on school for breakfast and lunch. Its been heartwarming to see the many companies step up to provided assistance for those in need. I just saw a tweet where a local cable company is offering free internet for families without.
No Tech Ideas
What it really comes down to, we must just do the best we can. If given the preparation you may need to put together a packet or documents to guide the students. Maybe there is a way to communicate to the families, but the consistent use of tech is not. This packet may be the only option. There is the possibility of designing a bingo board. Maybe including measuring your room or reading for 20 minutes.
Another approach is to emphasize reinforcement of skills. At this point of the year we've taught our students many things. What can we go back to in our curriculum that can be emphasized? Without instruction we worry about poor practice without the opportunity to provide quality feedback. At least in the short term, "Reinforce the things they already know, skill building and sustaining the knowledge they already got rather than building on it." For the long run we can work to build some virtual instruction than can then work toward new learning targets and goals.
Non-Negotiables for Virtual Learning
It can't just be something to do: Maybe write a rationale to show the purpose. Something similar in the "real" classroom should be practice anyway, but communicate why they are completing what they are. Reasonable amount of work time: We operate in classperiods from anywhere from 45 minutes to 70 minutes. Expecting the kids to replicate a 7-8 workday is crazy talk. 30 minutes is plenty for each class. Afterall this might still be a 3-4 hour day depending on the requirements of other classes. We are thinking a 10-20 breakdown. Start with instruction, a video, a podcast, etc. for 10 minutes. After that assign 20 minutes of work, note-taking, writing, processing, etc.Accountability: We have to be sure that they are doing what we asked them to do or we lose the potential value in these virtual days. In our district we are using these daily checks as evidence to count the students present or absent. We are also hosting Google Hangouts during "office hours." We have a district wide 2-hour window when all teachers are available. Canvas or Google Classroom/Docs are great for electronic turn-in and feedback.
