2: DISTANCE LEARNING

How can we ensure our students are receiving the highest quality learning experience regardless of where it takes place?

Most teachers accustomed to a brick and mortar classroom have entered a whole new world this year when it comes to hybrid learning. If this is you, I know it can be unsettling as you explore uncharted waters. My previous experience as a classroom teacher and more recently as Write Bright Founder, however, has shown me there are huge benefits to hybrid learning. It’s partly the reason Write Bright taps into a blended approach - something it’s done well before Covid19 came along. I truly believe that with the right kind of structured resources you can deliver an outstanding blended learning experience without making your life more difficult. 

If you need reminding of some of the benefits of blended learning - here are my thoughts:

1. Flexibility: Hybrid learning allows students to fit schoolwork around their commitments.  There should be structured time to engage with you as the teacher, but students can be free to complete daily assignments when it works best for their schedules. 
2. Ownership: Students get to take ownership of their learning and drive the bus for a change. This gives them a feeling of responsibility and without you hovering over their shoulders, they learn to be accountable for their work. 
3. Classroom Management: Talking out of turn, passing notes, kicking the desk, and destroying materials all disappear in the virtual classroom.  With less distraction from other students, the focus stays on learning.
4. Pacing: Some students need more time to spend on a task while others are speed racers. The virtual realm allows each student to work at the speed that is best for their individual learning. 
5. Mental wellbeing:  Blended learning can help alleviate stress in students who feel anxious about physically attending school full time, as well as those students who may feel shy or anxious about participating out loud in large group activities. By mixing up the learning environment, it takes away some of this pressure which can help students’ mental health and general self confidence. 

Teacher friends, I know you’ve got this.  We are in this together as we continue to educate students regardless of where they are learning.  Write Bright is ready for both classroom use and virtual learning, and I believe now more than ever we need to be sure we are using proven methods that we trust.