Distance Learning and building habits for the new future

As I watch my two sons undertake the new normal of school in NZ I felt that I would like to share some reflections.

Both my boys are at home undertaking distance learning and are at different school so this shows me a couple of different ways this is being done. I have had lots of interactions with schools at this time and see a range of abilities, focii and methods for supporting the students. These habits and ways to engage with your students may stay around for a long time

Students need to feel connected to their teachers as this is the one normal they have so use video conferencing tools to keep the connection through the physical distancing of the new style of Learning. Choose something that is understandable and secure. A tool that is free and easily accessible to all is the best one to go for. Setting work and saying – go for it and I will see you tomorrow (true story) is perhaps not the best idea

Students who may miss instructions in the classroom may also miss these in your video chats. Is there a way you can make yourself rewindable ? Choose a screen recorder to record what you are doing as you give instructions so that the students who miss it the first time are those ones who ask for help in a physical classroom so have you got extra backup for these students in a distance learning situation ? how will they get help if they need it ? screen recorders like Loom, Screencastify work on Chromebooks and you can now record your Google Meet with just you in it, sharing your screen. Meet recordings save direct to drive and can be shared easily. Share these screen recordings with your students so those who may have missed it the first time can go back and relearn.

If you have a tool that is appropriate and works then stick with it and amplify its use for your students. Edtech tools help to improve stickiness, reach and engagement but these do not take the place of the teacher, they just help to amplify what they do. Think about what works well in class and how it can be applied to the current new normal. Some tools translate well to independent study and some make it feel like the class is still together. Chats and QnA slide decks work well. Can you do a class Kahoot or use a nearpod whilst connected as a class on Meet. A collaborative doc or Jamboard session lets everyone get involved too.

Have a routine and provide information about how this will work for your students and parents as both groups are a part of the process and need to know what is going to happen. Being very clear that the learning will happen in a certain way at certain times helps all to be a part of the learning if they can. Laying out your routine at the beginning of the week, or at the end of he previous week helps students and families to plan what needs to be done and who can help when.

Most of all do the best thing for your students as you know them best. Some of the problems encountered by educators are less of an edtech tool problem but rather more of an operator error. Do you understand what outcomes you are looking for when you opt for a tool or task ? if you don’t , be ready for Kaos ! Prepare and know your tools and things will go much more smoothly

These new ways of learning may become the new normal as we return to class whenever that may be !

Kia Kaha Aotearoa