Changes during Covid-19 Pandemic Schooling!

Wow, have things changed. It is my hope that a year from now when I look at this article again, I will be able to happily say that things are back to normal after this period of Pandemic Schooling. The “NORMAL” we all knew before the final weeks of January when we heard about this horrible virus coming out of Wuhan, China.

A New Learning Era of Pandemic Schooling

We’ve entered a learning era of pandemic schooling that has an entirely new language of terms that we weren’t familiar with or using – just two short months ago. Words such as social distancing, pandemic, online learning, remote work, zoom, seesaw, google classroom, schoolology, flexible schedules, trauma, face masks and isolation.

Teachers are just thrown into this world and asked to make it work. Many jumped in and are making it work even before their district office administrators got a handle on it. And on top of this new teaching world, teachers have to help their own children understand what is going on in the world right now. It has become our new reality – hopefully, temporarily.

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The Pandemic Schooling-Student Work Environment

Both teachers and students have had to create a new work-school environment in their homes. But for some students it’s just not ideal.

Students at-home working spaces are all varied depending on their home life, their families’ technology items, how many other children are in the home and many other variables.

Some students have a hectic home and they are having to share their family’s laptop or tablet with other siblings or a parent. Also they may be forced to be online in a crazy, small home with lots of distractions and noise.

Students with disabilities or other special circumstances such as gifted students are often not able to get all the services and help that there were previously getting in their “brick and mortar” school. Teachers in these areas of expertise are working diligently top try to meet the needs of these special students but are finding this situation very difficult to address and resolve.

The Student Experience in Pandemic Schooling

The student learning experience in this new environment of pandemic schooling varies from home to home and from student to student. Some homes a highly prepared for this new learning while others are still not successful. This huge variance lead to what is known as the digital divide.

What is the Digital Divide?

Let’s not even go into the “DIGITAL DIVIDE.” Well, yes, let’s do discuss this. In my opinion, this is currently one of the greatest issues with schooling inequality for students.

The digital divide is the inequity that exists for school children that is created mainly due to a lack of technology which is most likely due to poverty. The access to technology can vary immensely from school to school, but also within a classroom.

When students don’t have equal access to technology outside of school, there is then this gap. The gap covers what school work can be offered to them, what can be accomplished, and how much they grow both academically and technologically.

Survival Schooling during a crisis time!

Many parents and students are experiencing a crisis mode right now. Some parents are tying to juggle their own “remote work-at-home” mandates with trying to have their children online when their classroom teacher is requesting.

Some children have limited access and/or limited experience. The younger the child, the more help and support they need to get from a parent or older sibling. Parents with multiple children often have to create schedules for internet usage.

Teachers and school districts must take all this information into consideration when it comes to their expectations for students.

The Pandemic Schooling Reality for Teachers

Some teachers have embraced this new pandemic schooling and have brought items from school to set up a corner of their home to work remotely from. Others were unsure of what to do and were waiting for directions from their administration.

Teacher “at-home” work spaces

Teachers in their new at-home-classroom are having to create spaces that have their teaching/learning tools and their laptop with camera and microphone. And their white boards and I’m sure the list could go on and on. Here is an example from my friend who teaches second grade. She took her dining nook over to create her “at-home-classroom.”

Other teachers are overwhelmed when trying to find a place to “work” in their home. Some have young children underfoot. Others live in very small homes without an extra spot for “teaching.” And still others are embarrassed for anyone to see their home in the Zoom camera. These realities only add to the stress that teachers are experiencing during this pandemic schooling.

Teachers, if you are looking for some teacher tips, I have a FREE downloadable list of 101 Teacher Tips. Just fill out the form below and I will zip it right over to you.

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Guidance from the school and principal, or not?

Many teachers have waited over three weeks for support and guidance from their district. While they have been told to begin this online digital learning, they weren’t told how or what was expected right away.

Thankfully, most principals and districts have been flexible and understanding toward their teachers while they try to figure out all the details of the big picture of “schooling” and expectations.

I’ve read stories of some principals that have been very supportive and some that are not being helpful at all. I wrote another article about teachers feeling stressed right now. You can read it here:

Stress Relief for Teachers during Covid-19 Online Instruction

The emotional affects of pandemic schooling

And, of course, we can’t talk about the impact of this pandemic Schooling without discussion the trauma that some people are experiencing. Some families are having parents or adults in the home out of work. Some are dealing with more alcohol drinking.

While, sadly, some have even experienced the loss of a loved one or friend from the coronavirus.

Many students (and some teachers) are feeling isolated at hone. Some can’t deal with not being able to get out. Remember that you are being encouraged to go outside and get sunshine and fresh air while you maintain the correct “social distancing” norms.

Other children (or adults) are dealing with feelings of hopelessness or doom. Some are having a difficult time with the uncertainty that this virus has brought on our social structures and our economic situation both here and worldwide.

My hope is that the adults in our students’ lives are trying (in small ways) to shelter our youngest citizens from the trauma and worries. This is my HOPE!

Until Next Time,