“Finding a Line” by vpickering is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Everyone had to pivot their approach to education without a choice after the spring break, but we are very privileged to be living at this period of time where technology has allowed us to support both teaching and learning online. In our current summer course session we are focusing on the pivot moving towards remote learning, and how we can best support our learning community when we meet in September. We are fortunate to have already been immersed in an online learning group with the ability to find resources, communicate with peers, and to have a sounding board to bounce off ideas with each other.
In reflecting the past few months of teaching in an online environment there were things that worked, things that didn’t work, things that need tweaking, and things that you knew should be there but weren’t present at all. It’s challenging to find the best solutions to all of these “things” and even define what that missing “thing” is. As such, it is natural to start with a messy canvas of thoughts and ideas before a clearer picture can be presented.
One valuable activity that worked for one of my courses was for students to communicate in small groups with each other in designated Zoom rooms. Some of the communication revolved around curriculum, but it also blended into a social and emotional support for students who have a natural need to connect with people outside of their isolation due to Covid-19 restrictions. I was unable to be present in each Zoom room at all times; however, I am not always present at each student space in the classroom. Creating a safe online learning environment with transparency for all parties is imperative for the opportunity to continue peer to peer interactions to continue. In September, we may not have the opportunity to develop those interpersonal relationships within physical proximity of each other. Having a system in place and a set of consequences to deal with harmful behavior is needed. My current goal is to reach out and find if there is anyone who has already developed the wheel on this topic. If not, with help from a community, we can develop the wheel and share it to all.
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