For my friends and colleagues who teach in virtual settings, the education world is a much less strange place right now than it is for those of us trying to imagine (or trying to transition) to a virtual reality from a teaching world that generally involves lots of face time with our kids. On that topic, I wanted to share a few links that I have found useful and inspiring (out of the insanity of emails that have been coming through my work email these days!).
This first link came from our Assistant Superintendent. What I liked most about it was that it’s not just a list of apps…that’s not virtual teaching (and, to be clear, I don’t teach in a virtual reality, so I am no expert!). I am reminded of a conversation I had with a colleague (and partner-in-PD crime) recently, Danielle Patenaude. As Danielle said, she “got on her soapbox” about the fact that we need to use apps to further education and learning, not just to use apps or technology. This is where Universal Design for Learning plays such a critical role, as it asks us to always be looking for the barriers so that we can remove them. If technology or a given app removes a barrier (or helps us go over it), awesome. If the app is just technology to have technology, we may end up creating barriers or just creating opportunities for our kids to spin their wheels (funny how good they are at that!). So I liked the article linked below because it clearly identified why you would use each app:
Chrome Extensions for Struggling Students and Special Needs
In the rush (for the old-school brick-and-mortar people) to transition to a virtual reality, it’s easy to forget that this is not the time to pull out all of the stops and create wild and crazy new virtual realities and expectations for ourselves….
Dan Meyer “We’re Only Getting Out of This Together”
Watch for upcoming blog posts from teachers at Greenfield Commonwealth Virtual School, an online learning community here in Massachusetts. They have been doing this work for five years–I’m thrilled to invite them to share their expertise with us as the brick-and-mortar education community transitions to digital and distance learning in the next few weeks.
The Dr. Seuss came from school email–oh, my!
If you haven’t see this yet, please enjoy!
Not much of an introduction needed here…may all be well with you, your loved ones, your students and work families, all the people of your world and the larger world that we share.
Thanks to my mom for sending this link.
Universal Design for Learning 