Some reflections

With the start of Bimester 3 underway, the initial stress related to online learning has faded into the background. Classes have embraced new routines, and with it, the new normal. March 2020 seems like a lifetime ago in teacher years. Many of my old teaching strategies have morphed into something new, and thanks to more reading materials about online teaching from teachers around the world and the support of colleagues in my department, I’ve found my way.

After a few false starts, the structure of my Zoom lessons now follows a similar structure to face-to-face learning. I provide students with timed activities, many of which are with their peers in breakout rooms so that I can circulate and check understanding more easily; we begin and end the lessons as a group with clear instructions. All relevant notes and observations about students go on the Daily Log, something I use more now than ever.

In previous years when I taught English, students readily shared opinions and stories with classmates. With a course like Geography, though varied and exciting, it can be more difficult to get to know students. Online learning has presented even more obstacles. If I can’t see them, how am I going to know if there’s something wrong?

At the beginning of each double lesson, I take a few minutes for students to share something special from their week – maybe something they saw, something funny or a special celebration. This is voluntary and we usually hear from 4 or 5 individuals per class each week. Where some students enjoy sharing with the entire class, others prefer to share quiet comments about the family dog or new computer through Zoom Chat. Students who wouldn’t normally share anything have opened up and it’s made our little classroom communities more connected. Time is precious for teachers with exam classes so a time to share stories is likely impossible, but these few minutes per week have made all the difference in some of my classes.

Bimester 3 is an action-packed time for Middle School Geographers. The P6 students seem to be enjoying the current unit all about Antarctica. Just like in previous years, there isn’t a shortage of questions and most can’t wait to visit the continent once they’re a little older. Now that they have amassed more on-line project-making skills in other classes, I can’t wait to see how their Antarctica research projects turn out in the coming weeks.

The S1 students are currently working on their 3D Contour Island Projects, which are made out of cardboard and other recycled materials. Just the thought of this project last bimester made me worry about how students would manage. Would they be able to cut and draw on their own? What about managing their time and tidying up? Once in breakout rooms, students turned on their cameras and worked at the own pace. Questions were either presented to group members or they asked for my support. When there was a question about design or how to cut/glue something, I referred to my homemade samples. As for cutting and drawing, they seemed content to just do their best and not fret about the mistakes. As for tidying up, parents will have a better idea how that went. Next time, I would send out a short email to parents so that they can help gather the necessary material for the project since sharing glue and cardboard isn’t an option right now.

The S2 classes have just wrapped up Glaciation – a unit that many students seemed to find quite challenging under normal circumstances. With the help of the Geo Department’s planning and Julian/Denise’s detailed booklets, it seemed easier than before. Since we’re online anyway, I treated Glaciation like a virtual field trip. We got to know all about glaciers through a range of videos and learned key terminology through videos and detailed diagrams. Next, we tested their knowledge with a series of matching activities and quizzes. In the final week, students applied their knowledge of glaciers and mapping skills in an interactive and challenging activity. I didn’t succeed in some aspects of this unit, as my timing was off with some of the activities. However, I was pleased with the level of questions and participation by most students.

Teaching has changed, but with a little creativity, an open mind and support from others, we can find our way forward and reassemble parts of who we were in the classroom.