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With the job to provide entertainment to people who can switch a channel any time they get bored, talk-show hosts know how to gain their viewers’ attention. There is no reason that educators can’t adapt some of these techniques, such as the games they play with their guests, for the classroom.
Staying onscreen all day may not be the solution we hoped for, unless we can focus more on transforming that time into quality interactions that increase physical movement and mental engagement than on extending the minutes students are watching the screen.
The role of classroom discourse should not be diminished due to our current circumstances. It is vital for students to participate in conversations that make safe spaces for opposing voices, so that they can carry those critical thinking skills into their future as citizens, employees, parents, and leaders.
With large class sizes and children of diverse abilities, backgrounds, and interests, differentiation may seem to be a daunting task. However, there are many tools that are out there that can be helpful, especially if the teacher and students have access to technology.
As much as we want our world to return to normal, we cannot forget that last year’s normal wasn’t perfect. We are in a unique position where we can vividly recall the great things about school – especially the relationships and new worlds opened up by education – and to try to change the parts that were unhelpful and sometimes even harmful.
When given time and the necessary tools, teachers can create lessons that are inclusive of all learners, regardless of the setting. With a UDL curriculum in place, the majority of teachers’ work will be to create strong emotional connections with remote students and letting them know that they belong to a community of learners where everyone is valued.
Setting up authentic online S.T.E.A.M. units will reap many benefits for both teachers and students. After completing a unit, teachers will have an incredible resource that they can refine and use again, and students will have taken part in rich learning experiences that inspired curiosity and creativity they can leverage to their benefits in the future.
Many people have mourned the loss of traditional classroom learning during this pandemic, but it can also be argued that these unusual circumstances may have increased skills that may not typically be practiced in conventional environments. The biggest takeaway from this forced experimentation may be that our society’s soul is renewed by seeing the benefits of working together.
With the rebellion against standardized tests and “one-size-fits-all” schools, design thinking has become the antidote to the industrialization of education. But how can educators ensure that design thinking becomes a meaningful educational strategy, rather than just another passing trend?
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