Teachers VS Technology
During the last few weeks, the world has focused on the ‘Front-line’ workers for their amazing contribution in supporting the sick, ensuring that we can work remotely from home and for keeping the food shelves stocked. We applaud them! Their bravery and commitment is astounding.
While this was happening, there was a small group of people that may not have been on the front-lines, but were working tirelessly between the trenches and ‘no mans land’.
The people I am referring to are the teachers.
Although I may have thought that I have sufficient tech knowledge to teach effectively in the modern world and to support my admin skills, it became quite clear to me that this was not entirely the case. Teaching in the virtual classroom was going to be a challenge for sure. It was time to teach an old dog a few new tricks.
Teachers scrambled from left to right, learning how to balance home life, teaching online, learning new skills and staying sane at the same time. We had to learn how to navigate different platforms, and boy that mute button is a saving grace.
After finding my way and seeing the difference between the classroom and the virtual world, I realised that this was going to be tough, but I could do this. There were many obstacles for a number of us, but we overcame them and continued nonetheless.
Reaching out for support, I realized that I was not alone in this. Most of my colleagues felt the same way that I did. Lost, but determined to do this correctly for our students. We soldiered on.
I asked some of my friends and colleagues a few questions regarding how they feel about teaching in the classroom versus teaching online; this is what they had to say:
What do you enjoy most about online teaching?
“I have enjoyed finding different resources and approaches to lessons. While it has been a lot of work to get used to and comfortable with the technology, there has been time to find new resources and research ideas to implement in lessons now and when we return to school.”
“I really enjoy putting together the slides for the video lessons. We are using a programme called Doceri on the i-pad, which allows us to record a voice over as we move through the slides to create our lesson videos. We then upload our video lessons to Google Classroom for the students and parents to access.
I love the interaction I have with the students during the Zoom focus group lessons. The focus groups are smaller groups of 4-5 students. It really is so rewarding to see how they are progressing.”
What do you find most challenging about the virtual classroom?
“Although I am enjoying online teaching, I really miss being in the classroom and interacting with all the students and families from my class. As a classroom teacher, I have become accustomed to having all my teaching tools and resources at my fingertips. In the virtual classroom, we have to make new resources and convert them into a digital format. Students also need to do practical activities, and we have to try and use things they already have at home to do these activities. I am also using a lot more technology and learning as I go, which sometimes takes a bit longer to get things done. Sometimes there are also technical difficulties that I have to work around.”
Has online teaching changed your thinking and/or methods of effective teaching?
“Yes, absolutely – more tech savvy!”
“Yes, I’m positive about what can be achieved online, and how versatile it can be depending on the teacher and their willingness. Though I don’t think it is a one-size-fits all, it doesn’t work for every student. I’m more mindful of how I come across and what the children in class need to see from their teacher. If all you see is a face on screen, it needs to be a friendly one, with a huge smile, open, kind and warm. I enjoy trying new things with my class; especially some fun games, which I’d like to continue when back in our classroom.”
“Yes, to a degree. But the live interaction and discussion in the classroom, takes lessons in different directions and has a lot of value in developing the concepts the children learn.”
Is there a place for the virtual classroom concept in the future? If yes, how could it compliment the curriculum or your teaching strategies? If no, why?
“Yes and no.
Yes because during a time like this where we need to stay away from school to be safer, it allows the students to learn in their own comfort of their homes, at their own pace. As well as with the times we live in, students prefer to use technology. It allows teachers to get creative and think of ways to teach incorporating the different styles of learning. In this, teachers are learning new strategies to teach.
No, because as a Primary School teacher, it is important for students to socialize and have human interaction. Being in a classroom allows students to grow not just developmentally, but emotionally and socially as well. The classroom also allows us to bring in fun lessons, via the projector.”
“I think putting up videos on Google Classroom to explain how we teach different concepts, will be great for parents to understand how we teach. It would also be great to, sometimes, teach lessons for the children to do at home and then come back to school to do the practical work and application. (Flipping the classroom)”
“Yes, there is definitely a place for the virtual classroom in the future. Although I don’t feel that it could
ever replace the classroom, it can be beneficial alongside the classroom. The virtual classroom can be used for extra enrichment to practise concepts learnt in the classroom. It allows parents to become more familiar with the curriculum. Through the online videos, parents are exposed to teaching methods and vocabulary that they can use with their children. This also provides more continuity when discussing concepts and prevents the child from possibly becoming confused.”
What do you miss most about the classroom?
“The hugs, the humor and the “ah-ha” moments.”
“I miss seeing my children in class every day, their smiles and beautiful pictures they like to draw for my walls. I miss the physical interactions with my class, the high fives or hugs each morning, and being able to comfort them when they are having a sad day.”
“I miss the instant feedback from the children in order to assess their learning and plan for the next lessons.”
“I miss everything about school. I miss seeing the children’s smiling faces every morning, and greeting
their family members as they are dropped off or collected from school. In the classroom, I miss our morning rings and presenting lessons on the carpet. I miss helping the students during play time and watching them play. I miss putting on plasters, giving out icepacks. I really also miss my colleagues and the support we give each other daily. I miss the admin staff and being able to just pop into Ms. Kiley or Mrs. Lawrence’s office for a chat. I miss sitting together during meetings instead of just seeing each other on a screen.”
After reviewing their responses, the virtual classroom in some form has a place in the future. It can be used to compliment our teaching methods within the classroom, but in my opinion not replace it.
It is certainly clear that the classroom is still the best for personal interactions, and for nurturing emotions and feelings. The close contact is what we strive for as human beings.
I recently read an article that endeavored to explain why we are more exhausted at the end of the virtual ‘school day’. It is not because we have to deal with behavioral issues or with multiple duties, but being on a video call requires more intense focus than face-to-face chats. The article stated that ‘we need to work harder to process non-verbal cues like facial expressions, the tone and the pitch of the voice, and body language; paying more attention to those consumes a lot of energy’. We also have to try to drown out the distracting noises and voices in the background, and the moving and shaking of screens.
So, when you are clanging your pots and pans, clapping your hands and singing songs every night at 8:00 pm, please leave a small space in your heart for the teachers out there. They are most likely not there to join their family; they are busy preparing their lessons for tomorrow.
Wendy Menton
Year 1 Teacher
