Teaching in Covid Times

Once again we have received the update Auckland is going into Alert Level 3. I remember last year when the first lockdown was announced. We had a day to prepare ourselves for the lockdown. I felt unsettled anxious of what learning was going to look like for my students. 

Fast forward to 2021. Saturday night I was in my kitchen cooking dinner for my parents when my bishop called me to put an announcement out to the female group I lead at church. "For what bishop?" was my reply. "The Prime Minister has just announced we are going back to Alert Level 3 at 6 am tomorrow". After I hung up, I put out an announcement to the group that there will be no church service. 

Then I got another call from our DP that our staff are going to school on Sunday morning to give out devices for students with no devices at home. I promptly replied I will be there and made a few more calls to inform my church group of having no service. 

Did I feel anxious? Not really. I am confident my students will continue their learning. I know exactly how many students I need to give devices to and what to do in setting up my class hangouts. If more than anything, Covid and the changes in Alert Levels are teaching me about the ability we have in being flexible and adaptable. I have also seen this with my students. Where last year, my students spent some time to get used to being on lockdown and getting back into school routine when they returned, this time I see the students get right back into school routines when they return on the first day. 

How we as teachers react to situations influences how students cope with the changes. In my classroom practice, I ensure the students know our classroom is a safe space physically and emotionally. This is achieved by ensuring the students understand that life can change unexpectedly but we have to cope with changes. We also have to look out for one another. The saying 'The show must go on' is often how I view our return to school after lockdowns. 

My observations of my students is that they appreciate returning to school and classroom routines. Being able to greet your teacher as you walk in and answering some questions she has for you to start a conversation, sharing your latest game hack with your friends, learning in small groups, sharing your ideas and strategies with your friend next to you, having a laugh with your mates in the class over something you find amusing, playing outside...MAKING MEMORIES AS A KID. If you are a teacher reading this post 'Does this just highlight how valuable your role is in the lives of your tamariki?'. 

Back to Hangouts

My Home Learning page has been set up. I have put a screencast of myself talking to the students about what is happening this week starting off with hangouts tomorrow morning at 9 am. The screencast serves a few purposes:

1. My students can see me visually and hear me (hopes of bringing back the security of being in the classroom with their classroom teacher). I am still here.

2. I have been pushing SISOMO with my students. Instead of sending them a long email explaining what is happening, at a click, they can see and hear me explaining.

3. The screencasts are a great memoir for my teaching career. I often look back to the screencasts I made last year and reflect on how far I have come with the teaching from home, also good to see myself a year ago and now as I have been on a healthy living lifestyle change. 

Some tips for Hangouts

Test out your Hangout link ahead of time. Have someone try the hangout with you. Today I tested with a colleague who needed some assistance in setting up her hangout space. Good for mic check and camera check. Can you imagine your students looking at you while you're talking and they can't hear a thing? DISASTER! 

Ensure you have on your Home Learning page the times you will be on hangouts. Make it visible. Help the students by ensuring information are visible and its not in a maze where they have to scroll up and down to find what they need. 

Look presentable. Important because you will have to record your hangouts with the students. Very important you record your hangouts for your safety as well as the safety of your students online. You know how every teacher has a student who acts as their secretary? That student who thrives on reminding you about things or telling you about what everyone else in the class is up to? I usually assign this student to remind me to record in case I forget. 

Teaching from home doesn't mean you are doing half your job. With myself, I find teaching from home requires so much more effort from me in ensuring all my students are on hangouts and doing their work from home. It does take up a lot of energy. Therefore, ensure you look after yourself. Get a break during your day, go outside for some fresh air, exercise, be happy and be positive. Remember how you react to situations will influence how your students feel. You set the vibe :).