Growth In the Time of COVID 19
So here we are. Well, here I am. In this period of social distancing, unless you are my wife or one of my children, we are probably not in the same place.
On Friday, March 13, 2020, the school I teach at closed due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The closure was originally supposed to last until April, 10. Since then, the governor has closed schools for the duration of the school year. Most, if not all schools nationwide have also closed. To continue educating students, schools are transitioning to online learning, or eLearning.
This has put schools, teachers, students, and parents in a new a stressful situation. Schools are empty. Teachers teach from home using some form of a blended, online learning model. Parents, even those deemed essential workers, are left to be supervisors for their kids. Teachers who are also parents have to do both.
In a regular classroom environment, everyone is working on roughly the same things at the same time. The teacher is only steps away. When there is a question, an answer and explanation can usually be provided within seconds. Now? Not so much. While teachers are still available by email or video conference, many students believe that emailing questions is a bother to the teacher. [It isn't. Seriously. We're bored, too. Most of us would like nothing more than another opportunity to talk about our content areas or just to see your faces again.]
Students are expected to learn at home in relative isolation. While there is debate over how much learning should be expected of students during this period, one thing that is not debatable is that many students are, for the most part, learning on their own. That can be extremely difficult.
The amount of learning that will happen under current conditions will vary by student. Some students are realizing just how much they need the structure and environment of school in order to learn. Other students may be realizing how much they don't.
To the students who are realizing that they need school, my hope is that when you return, you will return with renewed determination to get the most out of your time in school that you can. More motivation. More effort. More participation. That sort of thing. We are there to help you.
To the students who are surprising themselves with how much they can do on their own now that they have to, my hope is that you will internalize your effort and motivation when you return to school so that you are supported during your remaining time there.
To all students, my hope is that when you return to school your experience there is exactly what you need it to be.
On Friday, March 13, 2020, the school I teach at closed due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The closure was originally supposed to last until April, 10. Since then, the governor has closed schools for the duration of the school year. Most, if not all schools nationwide have also closed. To continue educating students, schools are transitioning to online learning, or eLearning.This has put schools, teachers, students, and parents in a new a stressful situation. Schools are empty. Teachers teach from home using some form of a blended, online learning model. Parents, even those deemed essential workers, are left to be supervisors for their kids. Teachers who are also parents have to do both.
In a regular classroom environment, everyone is working on roughly the same things at the same time. The teacher is only steps away. When there is a question, an answer and explanation can usually be provided within seconds. Now? Not so much. While teachers are still available by email or video conference, many students believe that emailing questions is a bother to the teacher. [It isn't. Seriously. We're bored, too. Most of us would like nothing more than another opportunity to talk about our content areas or just to see your faces again.]
Students are expected to learn at home in relative isolation. While there is debate over how much learning should be expected of students during this period, one thing that is not debatable is that many students are, for the most part, learning on their own. That can be extremely difficult.The amount of learning that will happen under current conditions will vary by student. Some students are realizing just how much they need the structure and environment of school in order to learn. Other students may be realizing how much they don't.
To the students who are realizing that they need school, my hope is that when you return, you will return with renewed determination to get the most out of your time in school that you can. More motivation. More effort. More participation. That sort of thing. We are there to help you.
To the students who are surprising themselves with how much they can do on their own now that they have to, my hope is that you will internalize your effort and motivation when you return to school so that you are supported during your remaining time there.
To all students, my hope is that when you return to school your experience there is exactly what you need it to be.
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