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.
With schools under lockdown, parents have taken on the role of teachers, in addition to being caregivers and workers. Now more than ever, schools need to establish a good relationship with parents, as their actions and expectations play a role in remote learning as well, especially for younger students, who have not yet developed the skills to set goals and standards for themselves.
By providing different choices through the many digital tools and methods available, our students are empowered to drive their learning, determine their personal interests, and in the process, build essential skills, and develop empathy. We also create opportunities to help our students develop social-emotional learning (SEL) skills while at home during this time.
The recent pandemic has forced people out of their comfort zone and into a whirlpool of changes. Education has been disrupted for millions of students of all ages across the world, constraining schools and educators to fall on distance learning and education technologies to ensure the continuity of learning.
Although online tutoring for subjects of an academic nature has been popular for quite some time, creative fields like art are also enjoying an increased online presence. Taking art teaching to a completely virtual environment, however, is a big step, as it typically involves more of a hands-on approach than academic teachings do.
Integrating online teaching in the curriculum should not be considered only an ad-hoc solution to the current crisis, but a long-term strategy for sustainable results. What we learn during this crisis might be helpful for us in the future as well. Here are a few ideas on how to overcome any resistance to online education:
The future of leadership in higher education is now, and those aspiring to positions of influence must prepare themselves in all aspects, Taking a professional course to build a strong leadership foundation is also a popular option. With new kinds of learners entering the education system, it’s time new leadership does as well.
This is a time to reflect on what is working and what we could do better. Also, it’s time to evaluate what our core beliefs about education are and how accurate they are in preparing us for the future. Continuing to perfect and adapt edtech for everyone is a must, not a “nice to have” option.
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.
E-learning is more than an emergency response to a crisis. Rather, it is a solution that a majority of educators need to consider as a long-term method for teaching, at least some of the time. Use the following advice to create an optimized learning environment for your students.
