Impact on Students: (Distance Learning)
Many people had doubts about what my students would be able to achieve during distance learning. Whether it was using Thinking maps online, learning to use new platforms or becoming independent technology users, they achieved it all! Though in the beginning it was tough, in the end my students showed that they could do anything. It was definitely a learning process for myself and for my students; nevertheless, we persevered. Designing distance learning instruction gave me the opportunity to learn about my preconceived notions about teaching and to learn to pay attention to my student voices much more as well.
I am overall really glad that I chose the Distance Learning module. I have learned so many ways to engage my students online and even in person. The resource I focused on primarily was Jamboard. I have joined a group of teachers who share different ways to use it for multiple areas and it has been greatly beneficial! Jamboard allowed me to see what my students were writing within seconds. I noticed that the students who were shy about sharing during in person instruction were able to express themselves freely through the window of a post it note. We used a "chat word bank" and scribing roles, in private chats with teachers and instructional aides, for students who were self conscious about writing. This allowed all students to participate with more confidence. For students to be more successful, there was a lot of modeling and I encouraged my instructional aides to participate to give students more ideas on the different ways to respond. Having these examples really helped students think about the different ways a given prompt or assignment could be answered.
Click to view a few examples on the following Powtoon:
Statements from Educational Leaders:
You always find a way to make what you are teaching accessible to your students. You go the extra mile to make sure that you are fully versed in what you are teaching in order for your students to be successful (Jennifer Hankins-6th Grade Teacher).