Clearly this mad dash to educational support and teaching has helped us to see where virtual teaching can be promising and where it has its limitations.
I don't think we should be doing all this work in vane. Instead, I think we should use this investment into virtual tools as a step towards a four-day-in-school plus a one-day-at-home school week. Why do I think this is a good idea?
Virtual Learning Has Limitations
No doubt, virtual learning is limited. The synergy of teachers and students learning together in real time is valuable and that should be recognized. The ways ideas flow from one child to another and the ways we can learn together in interactive, hands-on, project based ways is valuable--we can't lose sight of that.
Virtual Learning is Earth-Friendly
To reduce the need for transportation alone makes virtual learning Earth-friendly--this is positive as we reduce carbon producing emissions. We also reduce the need for multiple other tasks and products that require manufacturing, cleaning, and more, thus reducing the carbon footprint more.
Virtual Learning Has Advantages
One limitation of in-school learning is crowded, noisy surroundings. At home offers many a quieter place to focus and study as well as possibly more one-to-one coaching online and offline via teachers and family members.
Virtual Learning Infrastructure Means No Snow Days, No Cancellations
Since many school systems and teachers are using this time to create and/or update virtual platforms for learning, we should take advantage of this infrastructure by having "virtual days" rather than snow days or virus days or other kinds of disaster days. Of course there is a lot to think about when it comes to replacing in-school days with virtual days, but I do think a move to blended platforms for learning in-school and out of school hold positive potential for the world we live in.
Professional Learning
The one-day at home for educators could be a day to coach individual students and also engage in professional learning and student response. I believe this could elevate what educators are able to do during the four days in school.
I believe it is time for the the world to slow down the crazy pace that many lives exemplify at this time. A move toward a four-day in-school week might be a step in the right direction.
I don't think we should be doing all this work in vane. Instead, I think we should use this investment into virtual tools as a step towards a four-day-in-school plus a one-day-at-home school week. Why do I think this is a good idea?
Virtual Learning Has Limitations
No doubt, virtual learning is limited. The synergy of teachers and students learning together in real time is valuable and that should be recognized. The ways ideas flow from one child to another and the ways we can learn together in interactive, hands-on, project based ways is valuable--we can't lose sight of that.
Virtual Learning is Earth-Friendly
To reduce the need for transportation alone makes virtual learning Earth-friendly--this is positive as we reduce carbon producing emissions. We also reduce the need for multiple other tasks and products that require manufacturing, cleaning, and more, thus reducing the carbon footprint more.
Virtual Learning Has Advantages
One limitation of in-school learning is crowded, noisy surroundings. At home offers many a quieter place to focus and study as well as possibly more one-to-one coaching online and offline via teachers and family members.
Virtual Learning Infrastructure Means No Snow Days, No Cancellations
Since many school systems and teachers are using this time to create and/or update virtual platforms for learning, we should take advantage of this infrastructure by having "virtual days" rather than snow days or virus days or other kinds of disaster days. Of course there is a lot to think about when it comes to replacing in-school days with virtual days, but I do think a move to blended platforms for learning in-school and out of school hold positive potential for the world we live in.
Professional Learning
The one-day at home for educators could be a day to coach individual students and also engage in professional learning and student response. I believe this could elevate what educators are able to do during the four days in school.
I believe it is time for the the world to slow down the crazy pace that many lives exemplify at this time. A move toward a four-day in-school week might be a step in the right direction.