Remote learning launched at OA last week. As with anything new, there are many ways to interpret how and what it means. I asked several OA teachers what they thought about the process of Remote Learning and their Philosophy for at-home learning and teaching from a distance.
Mr. Schussler, English teacher said:
I’m approaching remote learning as anything but business as usual. I’m trying my best to find out what my kids really need and provide them with texts that offer than varying perspectives on their circumstances. I’m also trying to get them outside by offering alternative assignments that rely on nature and the outdoors.
Mr. Goldberg, History teacher said:
So here’s what the last few weeks have made me think about. First of all, the biggest implication moving forward is for the state and districts to have plans for extended closings moving forward. It’s clear no one did, which by the way is somewhat understandable as nothing like this has ever happened. Typically real change happens in times of crisis, so those changes will be made going forward.
Second, from a teaching perspective, I think my approach will be similar (big ideas, choice of evidence, discussion) but how I get there will vary. While in the classroom I can focus each day on one idea, leading to the larger concept, I think how I get there with this remote teaching model is by having everything I do go back to that big concept. I almost feel that things need to be spelled out a little more than I usually would because the most important part of my class, the interaction between students, is largely missing. I don’t care what anyone says, a 30 minute Google Hangout or replying to another student’s post will never replace real, human interaction; but I’ll try to get as close as I can to that given the circumstances.
I recognize the desire for some students to want to further their studies while they are not in school, but I think there needs to be a reasonableness and a humanity to the expectations put on everyone—students, teachers, and parents—during this very difficult time. The lessons we are all learning now shouldn’t be confined to traditional ideas of school and learning. School can’t and shouldn’t try to be replicated at home during this time.I have no idea. I expect that we will be away from school for a while, likely past the current earliest possible opening of May 4th.I want to regain a bit of normalcy through doing a little bit of work. My AP students have more at stake than my other classes, so I am asking a bit more of them. I am asking the same of my honors classes as other teachers are asking of their college classes. We are currently coordinating assignments for algebra 2 and pre-calculus.
My philosophy about teaching now centers around what is happening in the minds of the students. They need to think, to engage. But making that philosophy a reality is the challenge. I’m nowhere close to that yet. The authenticity of the work is much easier to achieve live and in person. In the face-to-face classroom, we all get immediate feedback–it’s written, verbal, nonverbal. There are visuals. There are emotions that tell us things are more or less important.The time these last weeks has been spent mostly through email and dealing with technical matters. So much gets lost in the “technology translation.” Submissions to Google Classroom are a mess for so many reasons. Responding and adapting to those reasons for the jumble of information is using an enormous amount of the teacher’s time (at least in my experience.) This is the obstacle that must be overcome.In the coming weeks, I expect to reach some clarity. Teachers will figure out what works. Students will understand what’s expected. The work load will increase. Video chats will become more rigorous, like real classes.My main goal is to somehow reach all students. Do they feel like this is really school? Can they be convinced that I have something to offer them? Can I show them evidence that working hard during this month will benefit them, make them smarter humans?
Sra. Palma, Spanish teacher, said that the challenges to remote learning are:
Not seeing students in order to be able to answer questions as they come to mind, not being able to communicate regularly in the target language, and no guarantee that students will engage and respond. I believe it’s up to us to make any learning scenario work. So if that’s remote learning for the time being, then yes, we can make it work. It will take careful communication between teachers and students, and personal responsibility to work from home. I do not believe it would fully substitute for an in-person education as we experience at OA. The sense of community we build as educators and students is best sustained in person, and I really hope to get back to that soon.
Mrs. Sapienza-Hunt, Art teacher said:
The most challenging aspect of remote learning so far has been the uncertainty of everything. Our district is still trying to navigate this unique situation and is working with the State to create the best plan of action that will benefit all of our students. It is, unfortunately, a waiting game until we know more about this virus and what we can expect from it in the long term. I have very high hopes that our district can devise a plan for distance learning that will benefit all students and can work for as long as we need it to. Is it an ideal situation? No. Teachers would much rather be in the classroom instructing students face to face. However, I have faith that the amazing teachers and administrators in our district will make the absolute best out of this complicated situation.