My friend is an elementary school teacher. She told me doing it online is so much work. She works at a school located in a very poor area, some family did not have a steady internet connection or did not have laptops, sometimes not even tablets. They had to think out of the box to make children be able to learn while receiving low-red pics of their homework and making sure everyone could have an internet connection (mobile data bc during lockdown no fiber-optic or dsl installations were being done), submit their homework via email, Whatsapp or FB Messenger and talked to parents via phonecall (paid from their own pocket) any issue or instruction l, relying on books and a simple Google doc documents with instructions. The director felt the children were "not busy enough" and that caused a lot of trouble for both parents and children (we are taking here about unemployed parents with no income who were already very stressed out or parents working from home who couldnt devote all their attention and electronic devices to children). Still, working together with the parents they were able to organize themselves and figure out how to reach everyone in spite of their limited resources. It became an almost 24/7 job.
She told me trying to teach children, making sure their are learning and keeping their phones always open to talk to parents at anytime was MUCH MORE WORK and very EXHAUSTING. And frustrating, because it was a huge challenge and sometimes they felt they were giving their 100% and still some kids were failing to catch up for many reasons. They also had videocalls every now and then to review content, which do not have the same effect with children because they can easily become distracted.
As all extra activities last year were cancelled, the board and the teachers decided to use the money to buy masks and gel and work on a "back to school" protocol.
So far there had been no Covid case since September, the kids are happy to be back, the teachers also avoid scaremongering children with germs or the virus - it is much less effective and only makes them panic - and allow them "breath" time anytime they need it. They also make breaks in turns so every class gets to go out, play and be active. Children are quick learners and adapt to all circumstances, and the levels of stress of children, parents and teachers have decreased as a result. Moreover, if a kid for whatever the reason is in lockdown, now they know how to keep him up to date with the contents and have enough time to follow up the kid's situation and bring a psychologist if needed when he is back.
So far, so good. She told me she'd be very pissed off if there were another total lockdown, because children suffer not only academically but psychologically, and it is exhausting for teachers and parents.
I honestly think the people in the video are the kind that tell their students to watch some tutorial on algebra explained by some dude in India and expect them to submit a sheet with a shitload of equations solved before 5pm.
My friend is an elementary school teacher. She told me doing it online is so much work. She works at a school located in a very poor area, some family did not have a steady internet connection or did not have laptops, sometimes not even tablets. They had to think out of the box to make children be able to learn while receiving low-red pics of their homework and making sure everyone could have an internet connection (mobile data bc during lockdown no fiber-optic or dsl installations were being done), submit their homework via email, Whatsapp or FB Messenger and talked to parents via phonecall (paid from their own pocket) any issue or instruction l, relying on books and a simple Google doc documents with instructions. The director felt the children were "not busy enough" and that caused a lot of trouble for both parents and children (we are taking here about unemployed parents with no income who were already very stressed out or parents working from home who couldnt devote all their attention and electronic devices to children). Still, working together with the parents they were able to organize themselves and figure out how to reach everyone in spite of their limited resources. It became an almost 24/7 job.
She told me trying to teach children, making sure their are learning and keeping their phones always open to talk to parents at anytime was MUCH MORE WORK and very EXHAUSTING. And frustrating, because it was a huge challenge and sometimes they felt they were giving their 100% and still some kids were failing to catch up for many reasons. They also had videocalls every now and then to review content, which do not have the same effect with children because they can easily become distracted.
As all extra activities last year were cancelled, the board and the teachers decided to use the money to buy masks and gel and work on a "back to school" protocol.
So far there had been no Covid case since September, the kids are happy to be back, the teachers also avoid scaremongering children with germs or the virus - it is much less effective and only makes them panic - and allow them "breath" time anytime they need it. They also make breaks in turns so every class gets to go out, play and be active. Children are quick learners and adapt to all circumstances, and the levels of stress of children, parents and teachers have decreased as a result. Moreover, if a kid for whatever the reason is in lockdown, now they know how to keep him up to date with the contents and have enough time to follow up the kid's situation and bring a psychologist if needed when he is back.
So far, so good. She told me she'd be very pissed off if there were another total lockdown, because children suffer not only academically but psychologically, and it is exhausting for teachers and parents.
I honestly think the people in the video are the kind that tell their students to watch some tutorial on algebra explained by some dude in India and expect them to submit a sheet with a shitload of equations solved before 5pm.