Virtual Education Lessons from 1 Year Ago

 After discussing changes with administrators that we can embrace from covid era education, it seems that revisioning education will have to take more time than I would like. The coronavirus has led to a major disruption to education in that what was normally continued from year to year by each teacher, now had to be re-examined and reevaluated for its usefulness. In the spring, at least at Neenah High School, in Neenah, Wisconsin, teachers posted the targets and assignments for the day. Maybe the teacher made a video of the lesson they normally would have taught in association with the activity of the day, but then it was up to the students to decide how to organize their day. 

Students had more flexibility when it came to how they organized their day. Teachers even declared the time their class would meet. In my case, I would suggest a time and some kids would say,  “I have physics class at that time” so I would adjust the time. 

Throughout the process, students were able to get a real look at what they were interested in and how they work best. Some people flourished because they can organize themselves, or they were involved with something that they valued. Others avoided school work at all costs, or because they could blame their lack of engagement on another issue. Some had real issues with connectivity, having to babysit or other family related activities.  

As we appear to be rounding out the covid era schooling, it is valuable to look at what occurred in the last 9-10 months.

There were vital lessons about themselves and about life in general to be learned from the last nine weeks of school in spring 2020. 

1. Not everything we thought was necessary to teach was necessary,

2. Teachers should be provided freedom in what they teach

3. Students are capable or organizing themselves and their time

4. For those who are not, it was clear early on, which could be addressed by teachers and parents to establish some strategies. 

5. Creating lessons or classes that could take place in 20-30 minutes is possible and probably preferred.

6. A successful strategy was for students to set Individual times to meet with teachers because teachers had time during the day.