Introduction:
(Photo on Unsplash by Ben Owen).
After having time to reflect on this past week’s sudden and unprecedented changes to the education system, specifically the indefinite closure of schools, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am having a difficult time grappling the challenges that lay ahead. I am constantly wondering how this situation may be an impasse in halting one’s learning journey. Indeed this anomalous situation is perplexing, both personally and professionally.
Admittingly, I completely understand the reasoning and necessity behind the swift closures and respect the installation measures put in place for the safety of us all. This experience, when compared with my previous hiking/trail running metaphors, is much like enjoying scenic trails, then, suddenly, around the next corner, unbeknownst, is a mother black bear and her cubs. Clearly this situation, much like the school closures, stops one in their tracks. It is these unforeseen events that force us, as educators, to accept challenges, make changes successfully work through the hurdles and support our learners.
Personal Struggle:Â
In regards to my personal struggle around school closures, although frustrating, they are very insignificant compared to the struggles that others around the world and indeed our country are enduring at this time. The closures, however, remind me of the frustrations that some learners may have with not having a connection to the internet to support their own learning needs.Â
Last week, our little cohort of three in Fort St. James spent a great deal of time collaborating and completing tasks associated with our EDCI-572 project. We gratefully took advantage of many of the digital tools we have access to in our school. Then, suddenly, we were notified that all staff, district-wide, would be permanently locked out of the school over the course of spring break so decontaminating processes could be completed. This notice quickly put us into overdrive to complete as much work as possible, in a short period of time. No longer would we be able to meet as a group on our regular Tuesday nights for our online class or meet at designated times at school to discuss our progress and what our next steps would be. In short, our spring break masters’ meeting schedule was stopped, and our present learning journey is forced to take a different path. Initially, my panic button or alarm sounded as I started to think about the internet access I have at home, which is spotty at best (hence the need to work at school). Upon quick discussions and multiple texts, we have come up with a few plans, not limited to sitting in the school parking lot with a laptop, to access the internet. Although these challenges have forced us to make quick changes so that our learning journey can continue, it has forced me to think (and worry), professionally, about the learning journey that our learners will be heading out on and the challenges they may face.
Professional Struggle:Â Â
Professionally, like other educators at this time, I am constantly asking myself questions. Where do we go from here? Now What? Sure we can make up or provide access to online assignments for students, but what about those learners that have a poor internet connection at home, thus leading to growing learner frustration and overall shut down. Then there are also the learners who have neither a computer at home, never mind internet access, and they also do not have parental support for their learning. These learners are the ones that depend on the school community for their learning accessibility and support. I am cognizant of the fact that many of our students live in remote or outline areas, thus bussed into school daily; I wonder if their lack of accessibility to online learning will facilitate in a “shut-down” of sorts in their desire to continue to learn. Have they in their minds checked out and consider school done for the year? Will they be able to make changes that will enable them to meet some challenges in continuing their learning journey?
Conclusion:Â
(Photo on Unsplash by Nikita Kachanovsky)
In spite of the fact that there are many online courses and digital supports available to support one’s learning, this unprecedented world situation has made me realize just how fragile online learning connections can be for some learners, especially outside of the school environment. I recognize there is not an easy answer to this situation for any educator. This current impasse will involve various creative and innovative strategies to meet and support the needs of our diverse learners to enable them to continue with their learning journey.
By Deirdre Houghton, March 22, 2020