It seems everywhere you look, teaching in a Covid-19 classroom is surrounding by technology. With the digital giant corporations all releasing the latest and greatest virtual learning environment (VLE), app or must have piece of software. Each of them in competition with the next. It is easy to see why teachers, both old and new to the profession, are feeling overwhelmed in these unprecedented times. There has always been a strong emphasis on blended learning, but never more than currently it seems. Teachers are asking me questions such as; which apps should we be using? Which software is best? When will I have time to add all of these into my teaching practice? Their fears and anxiety around getting it wrong is palpable.
With the classroom environment itself changing drastically: reduced numbers allowed in, allocated seating, reserved areas for tutors and more… it seems strange that which technology package we go with is such a strong focus. When did great teaching ever require technology in the past? I fully appreciate the need for video conferencing platforms, I have relied heavily on these to run lessons and stay in contact with students in lockdown, but I can’t help feel someone somewhere is losing sight of what really matters...Such as building meaningful relationships with students that allow them to feel its ok to get things wrong. We are not hard-wired to build meaningful relationships through a 13-15inch window screen, where we cannot pick up on all the small cues that let us know how someone is feeling; no matter how fantastic the pixels may be! Research supports that having time, especially early on, to develop these relationships can have a positive impact on classroom behaviour, achievement and motivation. Not to mention the sense of relief that comes from knowing someone is supporting you and has your back. Some of these young individuals coming into education have never had a champion.
Don’t lose sight of what matters. Take the time to get know your students at the start of this academic year. What are their interests, hobbies, ambitions? What are they passionate about? How did they get to your classroom? They’ll remember a teacher that they felt cared enough to ask… not which VLE or app they used while at College.
- Paul Morgan
Link to the research:
Reference in case we want to add these in: Sammons, P., Lindorff, A. M., Ortega, L. and Kington, A. (2016) ‘Inspiring teaching: learning from exemplary practitioners’, Journal of Professional Capital and Community, 1 (2), pp. 124–144; Scheuermann, B. and Hall, J. A. (2012) ‘Positive behavioral supports for the classroom’, Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.*
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