Unit 7 - Assignment 1 - Blog 4
While I had many alerts sent to my email this week with interesting articles, this one immediately caught my attention. While I have generally been keeping my distance with anything talking about the coronavirus, I couldn't help but read this article. The title of the article being "Italian Schools Go Digital As Coronavirus Shuts Classrooms." I have adopted the idea of not panicking until there is reason to panic. I know there are many who are extremely concerned that this virus will spread to their area. I know my sister who has plans to study abroad next month will no longer get that opportunity as Penn State University doesn't want to take any risks. They are even sending students home from studying abroad early if their country has any reported cases of the coronavirus.
This article really had me thinking how amazing technology is, especially during a situation such as potential illness. Even just a few years ago, if school needed to shut down for any reason, for any length of time, there would be no alternative. In reading the article, they are unsure of when the schools will reopen. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to catch the students up after missing weeks, if not months of school? It is incredibly how because of technology, we have the capabilities of keeping classrooms running efficiently, even after schools are shut down. The article goes into the different digital platforms they are using to keep school running smoothly. They are using Skype, Microsoft Teams, or Google Classroom. A lot of teachers have reported that it was a little rocky at first, but they are now working out the issues. They also went on to say that they are still working towards organizing classes and lessons.
I think it's amazing that even when a school shuts down, due to technology, teachers and students can continue on with the year. While I think it's great, I do see a few areas that would be a bit of a struggle. While general classes could remain in session, there would have to be mega creativity in order to offer specials classes such as gym or library. I also could see a problem at the elementary level--particularly kindergarteners. I think it would be an extreme challenge to teach kindergarten fully online. There may be the problem that not all students have access to technology at home. What do we do with the students who cannot continue school for the duration of the school being closed? There are many questions I have and I'm sure they are working through, but overall, we are in a much better position with technology at our fingertips.
Click here to view the original article.
This article really had me thinking how amazing technology is, especially during a situation such as potential illness. Even just a few years ago, if school needed to shut down for any reason, for any length of time, there would be no alternative. In reading the article, they are unsure of when the schools will reopen. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to catch the students up after missing weeks, if not months of school? It is incredibly how because of technology, we have the capabilities of keeping classrooms running efficiently, even after schools are shut down. The article goes into the different digital platforms they are using to keep school running smoothly. They are using Skype, Microsoft Teams, or Google Classroom. A lot of teachers have reported that it was a little rocky at first, but they are now working out the issues. They also went on to say that they are still working towards organizing classes and lessons.
I think it's amazing that even when a school shuts down, due to technology, teachers and students can continue on with the year. While I think it's great, I do see a few areas that would be a bit of a struggle. While general classes could remain in session, there would have to be mega creativity in order to offer specials classes such as gym or library. I also could see a problem at the elementary level--particularly kindergarteners. I think it would be an extreme challenge to teach kindergarten fully online. There may be the problem that not all students have access to technology at home. What do we do with the students who cannot continue school for the duration of the school being closed? There are many questions I have and I'm sure they are working through, but overall, we are in a much better position with technology at our fingertips.
Click here to view the original article.
I've read several articles now referencing Penn State's approach to the coronavirus, which seems to be "better safe than sorry" as they cancel study abroad experiences and force students to end current experiences. Although, I haven't seen an official statement, there is worry about commencement in the months to come. I am not one to panic, and I'm not sure how many will be affected, but it will be interesting if the U.S. school systems take the same approach and apply online learning.
ReplyDeleteYou may remember the news report that came out last summer that state lawmakers in PA approved a bill that would allow school districts to have flexible instructional days due to weather closures or other threats. I would assume that closing out of illness or virus concerns would count as one of those threats. The superintendent of our district addressed this news report at our first district-wide in-service day in August. Due to many issues with attempting to implement such a program, some of which you mentioned, he said we would not be participating in such a program if it is made available to districts. We are a 1:1 district with Chromebooks for all students in grades 6-12 but only the ninth through twelfth graders are allowed to take them home. Our elementary students do not have a district-issued device and I know that not all families can afford a device or even have Internet access. I have a kindergartener at home (currently home sick with the flu…ugh!) and she would never be able to focus long enough to complete a day’s worth of lessons on a computer. Instruction delivered this way is more possible with my high school students because they have the devices and I could communicate via our LMS of Schoology, but there would need to be a lot of guidelines and ground rules established. Is there a penalty if students do not do the work? Will I be expected to be online during normal school hours to guide students in a lesson or answer any questions? What about the students or teachers who are sick? I agree that it is kind of amazing that technology makes this possible, but I think the implementation would be difficult in a district such as mine.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very interesting article. I remember someone has posted about using the internet to complete school on snow days and I thought it was a great idea. I have read about schools in China shutting down for a few weeks, and maybe more. This would be a great option for a severe situation. (Although I am just hoping the media is inflating this whole issue and things are not as bad as what I read on the internet).
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference a week makes, right?! It is crazy about schools and universities shutting down.
ReplyDelete