What I’ve Learned About Virtual Learning
Just before March Break, as reports of COVID-19 were filling the news, I joked to my students that the next time we saw each other might be in a virtual classroom. Boy, I wish I had been wrong about that.
The past weeks have been the steepest learning curve I have experienced as a teacher. I’m very grateful that my students have been willing to learn along with me as we navigate our new online school environment. Now, as we are in week five of Crescent’s Virtual Learning Program, here’s a countdown of my top takeaways for effective teaching in a virtual classroom:
9. Dress up: Even though you’re in your living room teaching, the boys expect you to look like you’re in class. It helps you get in the role and immediately set the tone in the virtual classroom.
8. Set clear expectations: When planning learning assignments, be as clear as possible. Give written instructions and verbal instructions, that the boys can review again.
7. Reduce, reduce, reduce: When you imagine what the boys might be able to learn in class, cut that in half when planning and then, cut it in half again.
6. Ask for feedback: As the boys for honest and authentic feedback. In a classroom, you can read facial expressions and “read a room”, this is not possible virtually, you need to ask them specifically with quick surveys and conversations.
5. Not everyone is techy: The boys are not as tech savvy as we think they are. While they may be up on their Snapchat and TicToc, they might not be able to navigate Java. Limit activities to just one platform per lesson.
4. Practise your own tech: The boys have a limited attention span. When you have synchronous class time, you must use it as seamlessly as possible to keep their focus.
3. Flexible deadlines: With all the technological glitches and socio-emotional issues the boys are dealing with, be flexible and breathe. School might not be possible for the boys every day, so give them a break on dates.
2. Communicate regularly: Give feedback on assignments, even if there are no grades. If a boy misses a class, send a quick email so that he knows you missed him.
1. Relationships matter most: The boys are logged in to be with their teachers and their friends, more than to learn about the mitochondria or quantum physics. It means the world that you are still showing up, smiling and caring about their learning.
