As the COVID-19 virus has closed schools in Malta, educators have scrambled to adapt to the new reality. We have been experiencing so many teachers working extra hours to give their students the possibility to continue with their learning. They have been looking at what can be done and what cannot, what apps can ideally be used in their context, for their students, approved by their line managers and what apps should be avoided for particular reasons. There should be clear guidelines of what can/cannot be done to avoid consequences in the future.
This needs be be coupled with a decision on which platforms are to be used. Should learning activities be syncronous, asynchronous or a mix of both? What I have been suggesting to educators is to “plan around yourself”. As an educator you should be responsible towards your students and most improtantly flexible with yourself. Focus on your availability, on your knowhow and on your students’ availability. By now you probably have discussed with your colleagues on what communication channels can be used. Set clear communication channels, with clear timeframes e.g. parents can contact teachers via email and these will be answered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Make it clear that there are time slots where you will not be available.
At this stage, you are probably aware of students that might not have access to devices and reliable Internet. Some families might have only one device to share amongst 2 or more children. Therefore plan on a mix of digital and analogue tasks to complete in order to ensure all students have access to the activities and curriculum.
Kijt's #EdTech Blog 