Distance Learning

Well, this has been an unexpected adventure but overall I have enjoyed the challenge.  Following the Learn, Create, Share approach has made things easier. My experience on the DFI course helped heaps and I have been able to use some of the skills I learned from that course. After reading some articles and information on various sites about what is important during distance learning. As I have always said that relationships are important and making connections with the children you are teaching is important so the challenge was of course how to ensure this happens during distance learning. The main way we are doing this is through Google Meets and this seems to be helping with the relationships. The children I think are enjoying it as they are coming back each week. This way of forming a relationship has helped to ensure we make connections with the children and support the children to complete their work.  I realise that not everyone can make the meetings as there are other things going on but I found I got quite a lot of children coming to the meets.

As a teacher I found that I am gaining some more computer skills but also the skill of refining more of my lessons and adjusting lots of resources to suit the situation.  It has been great to see teachers and companies were helping each other out by providing resources and assisting with lessons.

What I find interesting is that some children have really taken to this type of learning and seem to be showing a certain amount of self-management and independence. The children I am teaching have had to learn quickly some computer skills and are taking on this challenge well. Other children are  doing well with the support of their parents or siblings. There are some children who enjoy the social side of distance learning and enjoy coming to Google Meets and less about the work. However, overall I think the experience for the children is a rewarding one where they are learning many things and should be commended on their effort and skills that they are learning.