Read on Twitter
Might get myself in hot water here, but let me say that I’m worried as heck about us trying to do some hybrid scenario in the fall.
I’m at a 1:1 school with top notch teachers who are well versed in tech.
I’m at a 1:1 school with top notch teachers who are well versed in tech.
Personally, I’ve done some form of flipped, asynchronous teaching for 9 years. Self-paced has been something I’ve done off and on for 6 years, have 150+ videos made already.
One might say I’m well prepared to do online.
One might say I’m well prepared to do online.
So if we do online only, I’ll manage, better than some, though if I wanted to be an online teacher, I’d be one already, but these are extenuating circumstances, so as my buddy @DavidCHawkins says, “semper Gumby”
I’d prefer by miles to teach face to face, in the classroom. But I know that isn’t viable right now since we aren’t handling it well and cases are going up.
But I really, really don’t think that leaders are getting what a hot mess doing both simultaneously will be. It isn’t just pressing a button on your LMS, those different scenarios require different thinking, planning, and prepping.
You know how you have to try to find some way to modify your plans for a kid who will be out for a few weeks for something. And it probably takes you hours, for that one kid...
Or, you slapdash stuff together that won’t be meaningful learning?!?
Or, you slapdash stuff together that won’t be meaningful learning?!?
What happens when that is 1/3 of your kids? What happens when a a kid was gong to do face to face, then changes their mind? What if I kid was going to stay home but now family situation changes and they have to come?
All of this can be handled, it is every day, every year, but
All of this can be handled, it is every day, every year, but
But the volume is going to be sooo much larger. Throw in cleaning, perhaps your own kid’s situations, and of course whatever new programs or action research just has to happen this year and wow...
I’m going into year 21, I’ve got a lot of tools in the kit, and my peculiar style may lend itself well to this situation.
But there is going to be a ton of heartache and failure this year. Leaders could make it easier, and perhaps they will.
But there is going to be a ton of heartache and failure this year. Leaders could make it easier, and perhaps they will.
Don’t just get teachers on your committees about reopening, (I’m assuming that is happening already), get the ones that will push back and ask the tough questions.
Get the ones that you know care more about the kids and the school writ large than care about advancing and being yes people.
And then listen, the adapt your plans.
That’s what good teachers will do in this situation and do every day in the actual classroom.
And then listen, the adapt your plans.
That’s what good teachers will do in this situation and do every day in the actual classroom.
