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The coronavirus pandemic has brought challenges and uncertainties that most of us could never have imagined. Each of us is dealing with a range of life-changing circumstances. Teachers whose schools have closed for the year face unique challenges. As K-12 schools scrambled to adopt remote learning policies, educators found themselves on the front lines of this rapid and unanticipated change.
Many of you are working from home alongside your other family members, often juggling your teaching responsibilities while caring for your own children. It can be tough to remain energetic and optimistic. MAXCases is dedicated to serving the education community. Wherever you are in your journey toward coping with and managing during these difficult times, we hope the tips below offer some measure of help. Most of all, teachers, know that you are in our thoughts and that we appreciate all you do for our students and community.
Tip #1 Keep in touch with your students
It’s a fair bet that many, if not most, of your students are feeling shell-shocked and isolated. As you know, the student-teacher relationship plays an important role in learning, and can often have a big impact on kids’ overall mental health. When you’re face-to-face in the classroom it can be easy to gauge how students are doing. Now, not so much.
It’s important to schedule time to interact with your students and keep track of their progress. You can do so by holding online group video sessions periodically and emailing or video-chatting with students individually in addition to as a group. One-on-one contact may be time consuming, but can be critical to keep your more introverted students involved. And, when communicating one-on-one, be sure to let students know you’re willing to hear them out if they’re facing any issues. It’s essential to collect continuous feedback from students, especially if this is your first time as an online educator.
Educators are often more aware than parents that positive mental health and sense of security are a prerequisite to learning. Depending on the age and circumstances of your students, chances are that many of you spent the first several weeks of the transition to remote learning helping students feel secure by setting routines and acknowledging their feelings. Keeping up with these schedules and communicating regularly with students will continue to bolster their sense of security, continuity and commitment to classwork. For some additional advice on how to support students struggling with their emotions, we found some great esources on Edutopia for helping students manage during trying times.
Tip #2 Use Online Resources
We are lucky to be a part of a technology-driven society. (Can you imagine these circumstances without the Internet?) Online communities have grown exponentially in the past few years and there are available resources offering millions of texts, papers, books, videos, and more. These resources can be accessed from anywhere in the world and even some of the best are available at no charge. Along with being chock-full of information, many of these sources serve up creative content that makes learning not just easier, but fun too.
Now is a great time to make use of online lectures, subject-based games and virtual field trips. Here are some of our favorites:
Tip #3 Focus on Projects
Filling out online “worksheets” and studying for tests and quizzes quickly becomes monotonous, especially under today’s isolating conditions. While it may take more planning and preparation, project-based work will help keep your students on their feet and provide them with something to look forward to. Group projects are a great way to keep students involved in a topic through active learning while also providing the opportunity to develop the soft skills that will prepare them for future success, such as collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking and negotiation. Active learning and collaboration have been shown to increase student motivation and learning outcomes; during these remote learning conditions these positive impacts are likely to be more important than ever. Using digital communication tools like Google Classrooms/Hangouts, Skype or Zoom, can help you find ways to keep students connected and taking a more active approach to learning.
Tip #4 Set realistic expectations /strong>
Finding a balance between focusing on your students' education and their mental health can be challenging. For now, as we all adjust to the changes brought on by the pandemic, try not overwhelm students with assignments and quizzes. Strive for just enough to create and gauge understanding of a topic. Recognize that it’s a tough time for everyone and that it’s okay to ease up when you sense students may be overwhelmed.
Conclusion
Migrating to a completely different lifestyle is taking a toll on us all, and each of us will need to find their own ways to cope. Our timeframes and methods will vary. One constant that will help is to be kind to ourselves and others as we travel this uncertain path. Teachers, take the time to practice self care so that you have the energy to guide your students. Your journey may seem unclear right now; practicing gratitude for your profession and reminding yourself of why you do what you do can help. Your resources may be limited; you may be caring for your children at home while continuing to teach; and you may be tired and scared. Remember that whatever efforts you are able make toward educating young minds will make the world a better place. As noted by Nelson Mandela, Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the World. And for a more calming reminder from Confucius: Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.
