KLINGSHARE:#5 KLINGCHAT - APRIL 7, 2020 MIDDLE SCHOOL DURING COVID-19 KlingShare:#5 shares ideas generated during an online conversation that invited middle school school teachers and leaders to discuss challenges and solutions in transitioning to online schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. HOW MIGHT WE INTEGRATE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL, DEI, & ETHICS LEARNING INTO ONLINE SCHOOLING FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS?
Maintain connections in the school community with a focus on student well-being. Use daily synchronous advisory time to provide structure and normalcy. Allow time for reflection and assist students in processing their feelings. Provide time and space for social connections by continuing selected school activities in a virtual format (e.g. club meetings, affinity spaces, service learning). Address inequity. Use virtual backgrounds in video conferences. Provide resources to families who need them (e.g. devices, wireless hotspots, grocery store gift cards). Record classes/provide asynchronous learning for students who cannot access synchronous classes due to technical issues or family situation. Provide students and their families with structures and pathways to support that ease the transition to remote learning. WHAT STRUCTURES OR STRATEGIES MIGHT WE USE TO HELP STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS MANAGE THE NEW WORK OF REMOTE LEARNING?
Engage with parents for feedback on creating structure and with students for creative solutions. Some schools have modified schedules, increased flexibility, adjusted policies, and reduced screen time in response to regular family feedback. Educate students and parents about similarities and differences in at-school vs. athome/online teaching and learning. Clearly define grading, work completion expectations, and limitations, but be flexible and understanding of students' needs. Provide regularly scheduled check-ins/office hours for parents and students. Utilize appropriate technology tools to schedule meetings, interact and update parents, and organize and host courses. Provide low-tech, asynchronous alternatives. Provide a variety of curated resources for parents and student to assist in the transition such as video tutorials, webinars, virtual coffee chats, and access to health and wellness assistance (e.g. dealing with death, stress). Be understanding of individual situations.
KlingShare:#5 | Klingenstein Center, Teachers College, Columbia University | klingensteincenter.org