Preparing for Back to School Amid Uncertainty
Recent research offers some insights into challenges that educators, students and parents faced with remote learning. Almost two-thirds of parents surveyed by Pew Research Center expressed concern about their children falling behind when schools closed. Thirty-one percent indicated that their children were getting little or no additional instruction or resources beyond what schools provided.
Recent data collected by the RAND Corporation’s American Educator Panels includes teachers’ indications of a need for greater student engagement and motivation during remote learning. Principals expressed plans to prioritize teacher training and support this fall.
Despite the surfeit of uncertainty, administrators can prepare for different reopening and funding scenarios to effectively adapt school environments to work in physical spaces or online.
Thoughtfully deployed technology can help personalize learning and maintain connections when gathering together in one classroom or school isn’t possible. The lessons learned will also help make the next round of remote learning go that much smoother. For more about how some districts have been able to dive into remote learning, read “E-Learning Struggles Prepare Districts for What's Next."
In the end, what was daunting is not impossible. That realization is a silver lining for Drew Lane, executive director of information and communication technologies at Shawnee Mission School District in Kansas.
“We can figure this out,” Lane says. “Don’t get me wrong — technology won’t solve all our problems. But I think we have a suitable alternative for now.”
I agree.
