Virtual Learning in the COVID19 Era: The Haves and Have Nots
Every year during the winter months, students (and teachers) eagerly await the announcement of school closures because of snow. This year, although some waited, the closures never came for many. However, something else came that was grander and scarier that has forced school closings across the nation, and chances of returning this school year look slim. The coronavirus, also referred to as COVID19, has taken over the world. How did a wish to miss just a couple of days of school turn into students missing weeks and possibly months of learning? (Have you ever heard the saying be careful what you ask for because you just might get it?). Well, this is it, personified! Most importantly, the questions started to pour in. How are students going to learn? How do I teach my students when they aren’t physically in the classroom? What will become of the learning progression of my students? How will this epidemic impact the future of students everywhere?
The announcement of school closings was impromptu. Staff and students were at school one day and gone the next! Schools had to later reopen to allow parents to pick up needed material for their child. Teachers of low-income communities were franticly pulling together paper packets (the copy machines got more of their fair share of use) to be able to hand students some type of work so they had something to do at home. Let me say, I commend educators' efforts everywhere!
For districts who are one-to-one, meaning the system has already provided computers for each student and teacher, online technology has become an integral part of their daily instruction. Therefore, it has been both a challenge and adjustment for students, staff, and parents to transition towards 100% digital learning. Additionally, because many of the districts who are one-to-one have also adopted educational platforms and a Learning Management System (LMS), a software application for schools (K-12 and beyond) to develop, assign, and track online classes and student outcomes, these platforms have already been a driving tool of instruction even before COVID19 hit. However, what will be the fate of districts whose students do not have a computer and let alone internet access? What about those teachers who don’t have access to their students. How do they keep learning going? There is already such a thing as Summer Learning Loss. It is when students lose skills over the summer break. As a result, the achievement gap between low and high-income students widens, and it continues to stretch each school year. (Read here).
If students do not have a computer at home, realistically, it will be tougher for them right now. However, some districts such as the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, over four days, were able to pass out more than 45,000 free laptops for students who need them.
To help students without internet access:
Compile a list of companies and who offer free Wi-fi and computer access. Comcast, for example, is giving away free home internet.
Investigate if your district and/or state offers webinars or free at-home resources for students. Contact parents to inform them of any pick-up sites.
To keep the learning going for students with computer and internet access, make this new process as normal as possible. This is a huge shift for everyone. Despite all, students enjoy being at school and would rather be there versus quarantined at home. Therefore, plan to “meet” with students virtually to review your expectations and learning goals. Here is a list of tools:
GotoMeeting - An online meeting, desktop sharing, and video conferencing software that enables learners to meet via the Internet.
Zoom - Communications software that combines video conferencing, online meetings, chat, and mobile collaboration for learners.
Google Hangouts Meet - Part of the G Suite tools, that allows for meetings online, live streaming and recording.
Microsoft Teams - A collaborative classroom online that combines chat, video meetings, and file storage.
Screencatsify -easily record, edit, and share videos.
Click "Redeem coupon" (under the Next Billing Date) Enter code CAST_COVID
Click "Activate License" (no credit card required).
Virtual learning, or e-learning, is a learning course taken entirely over the internet. It is where the teacher and students do not meet face to face, but learning is enhanced through utilizing computers and/or the internet both outside and inside the facilities of the educational organization. -Vedamo
Refrain from giving busy work. Assignments should be:
Standards-based- centered on the standards currently being taught.
Meaningful and Authentic-lessons should emulate in-class instruction
Engaging-requires students to be active/participate
Review other sources for ideas:
We are all in this together! Even if you plan a non-instructional online meeting with students to allow them to communicate with their peers that they haven’t seen in a while, they will appreciate it. In a time where fear can dominate, choose faith; this too shall pass.
Please email iCoach Teachers about any questions and/or resources. We are here to help!
-Dr. E