A WHOLE NEW WORLD

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Era of Educating Virtually

If someone had told educators one year ago that teaching virtually was going to be their new normal, most would have told you that teaching virtually wasn’t their calling and wasn’t a teaching platform that they would choose for themselves. Then COVID-19 happened, and all educators had to learn this new reality. With little to no preparation and transitioning over spring break, educators returned to school in a whole new world.

Few will argue with the statement that schools were unprepared for this new reality that was thrust upon them in March of 2020. Unlike many districts around the state that delayed school restarting by a week or more, Prosper ISD students returned to school only two days later than originally planned but in a virtual setting after leaders rallied over the break to forge a plan for 100% virtual learning in the district.

As the 2020-2021 school year began, the virtual world was still present as many families made virtual learning options based upon what was best for their family in this new era that COVID-19 had ushered in. Three Prosper Virtual Teachers from Cockrell Elementary share about their experiences in this new world.

What does your virtual day look like?

Hope Naber (Kinder): I teach lessons in the core subject areas (ELAR/Writing, Math, Social Studies, and Science) every day. My schedule mirrors the in-person Kindergarten schedule at my school, but I teach about half of my students the reading and writing lesson for the day, for instance, then I teach the other half the same lesson. When I am not teaching those core subject lessons, I am involved in small group (3-5 students) lessons that are more focused instruction based on each learner’s needs.

Jean Mitzner (5th Grade): My morning meet begins at 7:45 a.m. and they are with me until 10 a.m. At 10 a.m. they go to their math and science teacher and I get a new group. We meet from 10-11:20 a.m. for ELAR. They are then sent off for lunch and recess time. We meet again at 12:20 p.m. for social studies and get off at 1 p.m. for specials. I tutor one child daily in ELAR from 1:30-2 p.m. I am available for questions and help from 2-2:30 p.m. It is a lot of screen time, but it is working. I always have three computers going, one for the meet so I can see them, one on Go Guardian, and one that I present from. I have started bringing my computer from home so that I can look at email, etc. more easily.

What strategies do you use to incorporate collaboration between virtual students?

Megan Knippa (1st Grade): I have started using Jamboard, but I am currently in conversations with our ITC about what other digital platforms would be good for 1st graders to use for collaboration purposes.

Hope Naber: My students participate in 3 FlipGrids each day - one for ELAR/Morning Meeting, one for number sense, and one for Investigations and Wonderings. The FlipGrid platform is great for these young learners to interact, share ideas, and give feedback to peers.

How do you keep students engaged in the virtual classroom?

Jean Mitzner: I try to incorporate videos we watch together, I read aloud to them books that they are really invested in, I include some games that they can play and they can play as teams. Engagement is the big challenge, but most of them appear to be engaged. Go Guardian does let me see what they are doing.

Hope Naber: Just like in-person learning in Kindergarten, I use whole body learning, songs, and movements to keep my students actively engaged. The songs and movements I do are connected to their current learning, “stretch up tall like the stem of a plant” or “put your hands OVER your head (positional words)”.

What do you miss most about in-person learning?

Megan Knippa: I miss a teacher table lesson, where we are working together, I can see their hands and brains working together and finally seeing something click! I still get to see evidence of it in the virtual classroom, but I do miss seeing that “moment”.

Jean Mitzner: I mostly miss getting to know the kids so well and being able to see who needs extra help from me. In person I am able keep close tabs on the completion of work and I can modify and adjust more easily. Once the plans are made virtually, it is generally too difficult to veer off of them since it all has to be done digitally.

What do you like about virtual learning?

Hope Naber: I absolutely love virtual learning. I love getting to connect with my students and families in ways that I wouldn’t be able to if they were in person. I love seeing their individual learning spaces and how their families support their learning. I love getting to celebrate my students’ accomplishments and listen to their ideas and stories.

Megan Knippa: I enjoy that I have been able to get to know the families as well as just the students. It has been really great to see the growth the students have had when parents are partnering with me.

Clockwise from top left: Hope Naber’s virtual class; Megan Knippa and her virtual class: Jean Mitzner’s virtual class.