• Rainbows in the Clouds

    Posted by Amanda LaBoo on 4/6/2020
    Good morning, Sumner teachers--
     
    Happy Monday and happy official first day of distance learning in SLPS!
     
    I know this is a path we never expected to walk; nevertheless, here we are. I also know that there are multiple causes for concern or anxiety related to effectively reaching our students and doing all that we can within our new platform to support them.
     
    That being said, I just want to express my appreciation for the work you have done, for the calls you have made, and for the new learning your have undertaken to be able to present content to students in our current situation. 
     
    All of this sparks a memory of an ASCD conference I attended in 2013 where I had the privilege of hearing Maya Angelou speak to a group of educators. She said that teachers are rainbows in the clouds. She said that teachers enhance the possibility of seeing light and opportunity in the lives of so many. Then she thanked us. It was a powerful moment for me and I have had that quote posted in my office and in my journals thereafter as a reminder of the importance of my role as an educator.
     
    So today, this week, maybe for much longer, remember that YOU are the rainbow within the clouds for Sumner students. You have the ability to bring the light and the hope to our students in this uncertain time in so many ways.  You are the ones who can show students how to think and how to access opportunities to grow. Thank you for that. 
     
    Please reach out for support when needed. Please lift up each other. Please know that today may feel like a slow start. and that is okay. 
     
    Thank you for being rainbows in the clouds for our Sumner students.
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  • Initial Thoughts and Resources for Distance Learning

    Posted by Amanda LaBoo on 3/23/2020

    Sumner Teachers-- 

    Welcome back to work! This is definitely a new experience for all of us. Throughout this past week I have done some research on various aspects of remote instruction in an effort to best support you and our students as we work through our current situation. Here are some thoughts, advice, and resources for you to consider if you have not already. 

    I think it is important for each of you to approach distance learning similar to the way you approach the beginning of the school year. Building a sense of community is key at this time. Relationships (student to teacher and student to student) need to be emphasized within this new way of communicating and learning. Community over curriculum, honestly. It will create a space where learning can actually occur.

    Think through what that will look like for you and your students. A tool that you might consider using to begin this might be Flipgrid. 

    Flipgrid will also support academic instruction. You are going to need to assign synchronous and asynchronous activities. Flipgrid is a tool that supports asynchronous learning. A specific assignment can be given and students can create their video responses by a designated time. I have seen this work well in Sumner classrooms this year and I believe it could be a great tool to utilize within our current circumstances as well.

    Here is a link to a blog that discusses Flipgrid. https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/6-tech-tools-2018/

     

    6 Ed Tech Tools to Try in 2018 | Cult of Pedagogy

    1. Flipgrid. flipgrid.com. OK, so this one I have to get out of the way first. Even though I don’t think Flipgrid actually needs any more attention than it’s gotten lately, there’s just no way I’m writing a post about up-and-coming tech tools without including it. For me, this has been hands-down the most talked about tech tool of the past year, and for good reason.

    www.cultofpedagogy.com

     

    It also contains a link to a podcast if you would prefer to listen. If you don't already know about this podcast, I would highly recommend it. You can search Cult of Pedagogy  on whatever podcast platform you use. You can check out the weekly topic and listen if it is applicable. 

    Also here is a link to a brief intro video to Flipgrid on youtube. https://youtu.be/aLzX13jw7bw.   There multiple other videos available as well if this particular one isn’t your jam.

    If you will be using Zoom for synchronous activities, you might want to ensure that those activities are recorded and linked in order for students that experience technology glitches or have extenuating circumstances to have access. They will then feel supported and included in the classes experience even though it won't be live. This should then also increase the sense of community and agency in students. 

    Here is a link to a brief Zoom tutorial on youtube https://youtu.be/9guqRELB4dg   

    Teaching remotely also should be as conversational as possible. I would encourage you to consider the last time you listened to a webcast. How many times did you check you phones or minimize the window on you computers to multitask while you “listened" to the presentation?

    If this happens with Sumner students, they are not gaining much. Teachers, you should aim to structure your lessons, lectures, and notes to incorporate conversation, choice, interaction, and movement as appropriate to keep our students engaged.

    I would also encourage all teachers to be accessible and "visible" to students. That can mean a lot of things. If you  have the time, short individual phone calls parents and students would be amazing. Also, students will learn more from a video that is self-authored that includes your voice verses a sourced video from an unknown person on YouTube. It is important that students see you as often as possible throughout the duration of remote instruction.

    Remote learning will take time to get used to. It is for sure a paradigm shift from traditional classroom instruction, but this can also be an amazing opportunity for both teachers and students. You will need patience and pragmatism as the shift occurs. When you are in doubt, build on the small wins you are having within the this new platform remote instruction. 

    Right now your students may be curious and excited to see what this type of learning means. I want them to stay excited, but that will depend on the type of assignments they are assigned and the approach and structure of the remote learning that is presented. 

    Feel free to reach out with any questions. I am happy to share any other knowledge or resources I have during this time. I am continuing to do research related to this topic and will continue to do my best to support you.

     

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