What feeds the magic of learning when the literal energy is not present in the same space? As traditional classroom teachers begin learning to teach remotely, the question of feedback rings in my ears. We must adjust our instruction to meet the needs of students when we can't see them in real time.
One of the superhuman teacher traits is the ability to scan a room or peer over a shoulder at a piece of student work and make the almost instantaneous necessary decision to navigate the next 10 minute chunk of instructional time. Okay, honestly sometimes it is only 3 minute intervals at a time! The ebb and flow of a classroom is based on the back and forth between students, teachers and content.
I am heavy hearted at this current loss of classroom interaction as I know how deeply teachers and students depend on it for reasons that go far beyond academic achievement. I also know teachers have the gifts of adaptability and grit as a couple of other super-human traits and they will find a way to reach their students as best they can. As we struggle through this change, I am considering how teachers will reflect on their practice in the coming months. Keeping a journal, however sporatic it may be, is a strategy I will employ to document my thoughts, actions and intentions during this time of remote learning.
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