Just about all students in Central New York schools will be doing at least some online learning this fall due to the coronavirus pandemic. But there are different perspectives on what kind of challenge it will be.
Syracuse Teachers Association President Bill Scott says the abrupt closing of schools in the spring gave them a glimpse of what’s to come.
“We learned a lot about what works and doesn’t work. And based on that we have made some adjustments. Platforms (for learning) are being chosen but staff has not been trained in how to use those platforms. We have roughly 50-60% of parents choosing to have students do the virtual learning model so we have to orient them.”
A recent survey by Pearson Online Schoolsfinds almost nine out of 10 respondents believe some form of online learning is here to stay. Co-Founder Mickey Revenaugh agrees online learning needs to improve … at school and at home.
“It’s really important for families to lay out their school day and their work day in a way that students have an opportunity to take frequent breaks, where parents have the chance to check in with their kids on a regular basis, and where the teachers and the parents together are insuring that the students are doing well.”
Teachers, she adds, have to get away from what she calls ‘command performances’ of just putting lectures online. Revenaugh says the real joy of online teaching comes from finding interactive ways to work with students, get their feedback, and have online office hours, to guide their growth. The poll also found two-thirds of respondents believe schools are not as effective using technology as other industries such as banks or health institutions. And Revenaugh sees a challenge … and an opportunity.
“… and those who do it really well will have almost boundless opportunities to teach what they want to teach, how they want to teach it. With this ability to be anywhere around the globe at one time really opens all kinds of doors that educators are pretty excited about, even if they find it a little bit intimidating to take that first step.”
Finally, about three-quarters of people believe the pandemic will change education forever … so getting good at online education will be essential.
