Like many of you, when I kissed my husband on New Year’s Eve, I had no idea what this year would bring us. Yet, we all ring in the New Year with a level of hope and faith that come what may, we are all in this together.
Just ten days ago, I was in the height of one of my favorite times of the year. Our state technology conference, #NCTIES2020. Ironically to my introduction, the conference slogan was 2020 Vision. Thousands of attendees and hundreds of students sharing and collaborating visionary ideas and greatness that is happening all over North Carolina.
As I was putting the final touches on our presentation I began receiving messages from a parent who was utterly concerned and surprised that the conference was not canceled and that I was still taking students. One case had been confirmed in Raleigh that very day. Like other sicknesses that seem to sweep across the globe and move on, I wasn’t concerned. I didn’t dismiss the concern, but a window to “what if” definitely opened in the back of my head.
In just a few days that “what if” quickly changed to more and more of a possibility with every given moment. We all had to transition from the “conference show and share” mode to the planning mode for the coming days.
There are three themes in the conference that I can’t help but notice as a divine intervention……EQUITY, PERSONALIZED LEARNING, AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING. Those are concepts that will carry us forward as we step into this journey of Distance Learning.
EQUITY
In distance learning, when I consider equity in this context, I think of access. I think of taking into consideration that everyone’s home is different. When surveying district families, some stated that their only device connected to the internet was an Xbox. What do we do with that?
How do we provide access so that everyone has access to activities linked to standards?
How do we provide access to materials, peers, and assistance when we are not together?
How do we know what they need?
Our district leadership is second to none. They have done everything to cut out the red tape that sometimes makes access non-equitable. My heart jumped when a district leader said, we want as many books in the hands of children as possible. They do not need to be sitting on shelves. I love how the business world has stepped up as well. Spectrum’s internet extension to those without access is going to be a game changer. I pray once we all see the lack of equitable access in this situation, justice can be found.
PERSONALIZED LEARNING
I can’t help but feel that this forced distance learning is a big step in personalized learning. Teachers know where their students are. Distance learning forces us to keep in mind that Goldilocks and the Three Little Bears mentality when providing digital learning opportunities that are not too easy….not too hard…..but just right. One on one communication through tools (Part 2) to place teacher and student into intentional feedback mode.
How do we deliver that “just right” good fit instruction with out reinventing the wheel?
How do we emulate that rich person to person learning experience with digital tools from a distance?
How do we deliver timely feedback throughout the process?
How do we create valuable remote learning experiences so that children want to participate while at home?
Throughout the years, I’ve gathered and shared awesome resources to my staff that can do just that. One thing that gets in the way is the “We’ve always done it this way,” mentality…….this transition forces to step out of that comfort zone and try it in a different way.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
I loved how NCTIES threaded #SEL throughout the conference in a way that things just made sense. One session with the Friday Institute involved everyone connecting social emotional standards to #ISTE student standards to curriculum standards….BOOM. They are all connected and should not be left in isolation. This one is a little more difficult to tackle remotely but definitely should not be ignored. Social emotional needs of children should be at a heightened priority. Self management is going to be very necessary for success.
How do we connect with students while being a part?
How can we give students opportunities to connect with peers during this time?
How can we help children not absorb the worry that circles around them concerning this pandemic?
How do we deliver quality remote learning opportunities without pairing it with pressure beyond their control in home variables?
How do we create valuable remote learning experiences so that children want to participate while at home? (I know this question is a repeat…it is my favorite.)
In Part 2, I’ll be giving you some tools to consider as you marinate on the questions above. Remote learning may be new to most, but the quality digital learning tools we have come to love in the classroom will really come in handy now.
I can’t help but remember a twitter/youtube live chat with #InnovatorsMindset author George Couros, years ago, about how constraints force us to be innovative. The coming weeks are that crucible we have needed to fall forward.
Marsha Moore Sirkin 