As we prepare for the beginning of the school year, teachers and administrators requested information on the following topics: preparing for the first few weeks, the advantages of virtual learning, and how we can practice and even design learning experiences with empathy in mind. Here are some thoughts:
TRIAL BY FIRE: A SURVIVOR'S GUIDE TO THE FIRST FEW WEEKS
Whether you're a first-year teacher or a veteran, this session will help you organize your courses, develop online content, and select the tools you'll need to engage your students.
Note: When I talked about openness and giving students choices on the first day, I described how I summarize and document the conversation (here is a link to last year's version). I forgot to mention that I ask students to comment to that post with their observations. You can check these out via the link, or just have a look at a sample in the screen shot below. The students' comments create several positive outcomes: 1) they're writing on the first day of class; 2) they're engaging and choosing to "buy in" to the course; 3) they're speaking up for themselves, practicing agency, and gaining experience in being visible - in a small way, this practice is an introduction to Lincoln's "government by the people, for the people."
THE BATHROOM PASS IS DEAD: ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL LEARNING (PART I)
THE BATHROOM PASS IS DEAD: ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL LEARNING (PART II)
DESIGNING FOR EMPATHY (PART I)
Learn how you can provide cognitive and affective pathways for students to learn more effectively by creating a calm, mindful, interdependent community.
TRIAL BY FIRE: A SURVIVOR'S GUIDE TO THE FIRST FEW WEEKS
Whether you're a first-year teacher or a veteran, this session will help you organize your courses, develop online content, and select the tools you'll need to engage your students.
Note: When I talked about openness and giving students choices on the first day, I described how I summarize and document the conversation (here is a link to last year's version). I forgot to mention that I ask students to comment to that post with their observations. You can check these out via the link, or just have a look at a sample in the screen shot below. The students' comments create several positive outcomes: 1) they're writing on the first day of class; 2) they're engaging and choosing to "buy in" to the course; 3) they're speaking up for themselves, practicing agency, and gaining experience in being visible - in a small way, this practice is an introduction to Lincoln's "government by the people, for the people."
THE BATHROOM PASS IS DEAD: ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL LEARNING (PART I)
THE BATHROOM PASS IS DEAD: ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL LEARNING (PART II)
DESIGNING FOR EMPATHY (PART I)
Learn how you can provide cognitive and affective pathways for students to learn more effectively by creating a calm, mindful, interdependent community.
DESIGNING FOR EMPATHY (PART II)
Your feedback is important! Please comment to this post or email dpreston@smjuhsd.org at any time with questions or contributions.
Please join us on Thursday, August 13 at 10:00 A.M. Pacific for a live workshop where we'll be talking about these PD topics and more, and helping each other with last-minute, hands-on tips, tools, and work to get ready for our students. Here is the Zoom info:
Topic: SMJUHSD PD Workshop with David Preston
Time: Aug 13, 2020 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 863 1731 8629
Passcode: 173062
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Thank you Dr. Preston for putting together a real and encouraging video for all of us! I experienced stumbling blocks and challangesin almost every one of those 7 points you discussed. At the time of us closing school and going the virtual learning route, I felt very isolated from my colleagues. This proved difficult to me as there was no one to have discussions with, ask questions, bounce ideas off of one another or offer insight as usual. We were all so busy trying to figure it all out. As a special educator whose student population depends more on the physical interventions to help them, I was consumed with trying to make up for that somehow and got stuck in your first point of topic. In other words, I quickly was burning out. I remember spending one day at the computer (and eating at it) for 18 hours! My daughter who is an Instructional Assistant with us suggested that I create and put myself on a schedule. It still was difficult as I didn't want to miss anything my students needed. I think most teachers have strong compassionate and empathetic characteristics towards our students and it can be easy to lose sight of our own families and needs. Eventually, I realized that personalized instruction and support was my key. Thank you again and have a great school year. Welcome back!
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