Yesterday myself and some colleagues were speaking about best practices and "moving forward" in these uncertain times and, to many, uncharted territory. It is important to realize that many many people have been on the online learning train for a long time. People working with technology integration, blended learning, distance learning and remote learners all have something to offer as we try and find solutions that work for us as individual educators.
The amount of tools, resources, tips, tricks and advice o the disasters to avoid can be overwhelming but I think it is important to look for the common themes that come out when people with experience talk about moving into a non face to face environment. On the weekend our Director of Curriculum and Instruction shared with me a webinar from A.J. Juliani which gave some great advice and resources for those beginning this journey and is definitely worth the time to watch.
John Spencer is another expert who has been working at blended and distance learning for a long time and works in a teacher preparation program in the U.S. Below is an excerpt from and email I received as part of his email list I belong to. I want to highlight a few points he mentions as I think they are particularly relevant as we are at the beginning of this process.
John Spencer ...
I used to rail against worksheets and packets but then I realized that some kids love that stuff. Not out of compliance or brainwashing or whatever. They legitimately love the progression of skill-based work. Right now, some families need packets. They need structure and "busy work" as an escape.
And that's okay.
Meanwhile, some kids need a ton of choice. Give them a full day of Genius Hour in distance learning and they'll do something amazing. Give them a choice menu with five project ideas and watch them take flight! Let them do a Wonder Day and see them chase their curiosity. But other kids need a little more structure.
And that's okay.
Right now, some families need packets. Others need projects. Others need ideas. Others need to be left alone as they grieve and heal and carve out time for themselves amid the chaos. Some of them have lost their jobs in the service and travel industries. Some are "essential workers" and they're scrambling to get childcare. Still, others are telecommuting (is that still a term?) and they can't take time off to teach and reteach concepts.
And that's okay.
Some of the parents are eager to communicate and loving the phone calls home. Some of them aren't answering the phone at all. And the ones who aren't answering the phone might just be dealing with lost jobs and sick parents and unbearable stress. Some of them took every ounce of energy just to get out of bed. In other words, some parents may want to communicate more. Some may want to communicate less.
And that's okay.
Every child is different. Every family is different. But there are universals. We all need connection and compassion. We all need choice and autonomy. We all need the permission to process this social distancing thing in our own way. We all need to be shown a little grace. The more choice and permission we can provide families, the better. Ultimately, we're all handling this in different ways.
And that's okay.
We are in uncharted territory right now and it's amazing what teachers and school leaders have been able to accomplish with little direction and a chaotic context. Maybe it's time we show ourselves a little grace and be okay with the idea that it's not going to be perfect and there's no single "right way" to do this distance learning thing.
And that's okay.
Remember we are at the beginning of this process and we are all (students, teachers, administrators, parents, support staff) in this together and working towards the same goal. While we may not have all the answers at this moment and we will definitely make mistakes the most important part of the what happens in schools is the caring, supportive and understanding relationships that are built. If we keep flexibility, connection and understanding at the forefront of our planning we will be OK.
The amount of tools, resources, tips, tricks and advice o the disasters to avoid can be overwhelming but I think it is important to look for the common themes that come out when people with experience talk about moving into a non face to face environment. On the weekend our Director of Curriculum and Instruction shared with me a webinar from A.J. Juliani which gave some great advice and resources for those beginning this journey and is definitely worth the time to watch.
John Spencer is another expert who has been working at blended and distance learning for a long time and works in a teacher preparation program in the U.S. Below is an excerpt from and email I received as part of his email list I belong to. I want to highlight a few points he mentions as I think they are particularly relevant as we are at the beginning of this process.
John Spencer ...
I used to rail against worksheets and packets but then I realized that some kids love that stuff. Not out of compliance or brainwashing or whatever. They legitimately love the progression of skill-based work. Right now, some families need packets. They need structure and "busy work" as an escape.
And that's okay.
Meanwhile, some kids need a ton of choice. Give them a full day of Genius Hour in distance learning and they'll do something amazing. Give them a choice menu with five project ideas and watch them take flight! Let them do a Wonder Day and see them chase their curiosity. But other kids need a little more structure.
And that's okay.
Right now, some families need packets. Others need projects. Others need ideas. Others need to be left alone as they grieve and heal and carve out time for themselves amid the chaos. Some of them have lost their jobs in the service and travel industries. Some are "essential workers" and they're scrambling to get childcare. Still, others are telecommuting (is that still a term?) and they can't take time off to teach and reteach concepts.
And that's okay.
Some of the parents are eager to communicate and loving the phone calls home. Some of them aren't answering the phone at all. And the ones who aren't answering the phone might just be dealing with lost jobs and sick parents and unbearable stress. Some of them took every ounce of energy just to get out of bed. In other words, some parents may want to communicate more. Some may want to communicate less.
And that's okay.
Every child is different. Every family is different. But there are universals. We all need connection and compassion. We all need choice and autonomy. We all need the permission to process this social distancing thing in our own way. We all need to be shown a little grace. The more choice and permission we can provide families, the better. Ultimately, we're all handling this in different ways.
And that's okay.
We are in uncharted territory right now and it's amazing what teachers and school leaders have been able to accomplish with little direction and a chaotic context. Maybe it's time we show ourselves a little grace and be okay with the idea that it's not going to be perfect and there's no single "right way" to do this distance learning thing.
And that's okay.
Remember we are at the beginning of this process and we are all (students, teachers, administrators, parents, support staff) in this together and working towards the same goal. While we may not have all the answers at this moment and we will definitely make mistakes the most important part of the what happens in schools is the caring, supportive and understanding relationships that are built. If we keep flexibility, connection and understanding at the forefront of our planning we will be OK.
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