This week has been a weird one to say the least. I was recently visiting the in-laws in Ontario and I had the opportunity to talk to a couple of teachers there about what their future holds. It seems across the board that all of us are swimming in uncertainty. They had heard rumours of all different solutions such as on-line learning, optional learning opportunities and strait up cancelled school. These views are changing on a regular basis and the I have sense people are having a hard time knowing what to believe and what is speculation.
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To say the least, I am so happy to back home stuffed into my apartment. Never been so happy to be quarantined to a small apartment! Home sweet home!
Here in BC, I have the same feeling have pending doom and uncertainty of what the future holds for us. From the emails of not guaranteeing pay to what learning will look like on-line for the younger grades its a all a schmorgesborg of the unknown. I feel confident that with the resources and skills I have attained from this course that I will be successful but a couple things that are tearing at my fundamentals of teaching is the community and culture that I think is essential in the classroom. Sure, sure there are the academic parts but we are teaching especially the younger children so much more then just 2+2 is. We are teaching them how to be responsible human being that demonstrates respect, empathy and responsibility. All very important!
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The classroom culture in my classroom is something I pride myself with. From day one its is taught that our classroom and school community is a family and we must a tight unit!
So the question arises how can you create the warm and compassionate type of “online culture” in our new situation?
Depending on what is prescribed by the school board I have a couple ideas. I would like to create a morning check in video with the students, whether that being pre-recorded or live, where I can be fun and hopefully get my students to laugh in this strange time….maybe even get some costumes rolling! Also, the idea of teaching some lessons on a whiteboard in my house where I can hopefully allow the students to connect to something familiar. I will have to wait and see what is expected of us teachers but whatever the determination is I plan to bring some light to this dark situation and provide a warm environment for the students to hopefully feel like they are on some common ground.
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March 26, 2020 at 1:26 am
I appreciate the comment about keeping your online presence fun and a bit entertaining. Bringing laughter and an element of surprise to daily check-ins is an excellent reminder that learning needs to be fun! Thanks, Sean:)
April 15, 2020 at 12:31 pm
Connecting with students when from a distance is certainly a challenge. The more communication the better, I think. I know with my online classes I offer at least 30min to and hour a weekday for students to drop in and ask questions or even just hang out. I have been shocked at how many students show up with no questions and just want time to chat with their friends and me.