Hello colleagues, I know many of you are finding ways to stay connected to the students in your classes. A lot of teachers are using WhatsApp to maintain relationships as well as to deliver instruction. From the start of my class in January, I created a class WhatsApp group. I routinely shared resources with students through WhatsApp to build on the lessons we did in class. We have maintained this WhatsApp group and are using it more than ever to not only share instruction-related materials, but also -- and more importantly-- for everyone to share personal photos, recipes, videos, jokes, songs, riddles, etc. and other things that help to brighten our spirits during this difficult time.
I'm also teaching a Zoom class each morning, and we always start class by checking in. How are you and your loved ones? How are the people back home? How are you keeping yourself safe at work? What is something that made you laugh or smile recently? Tell us about something you saw or heard that was beautiful.
Phone calls, emails and texts are also ways we stay in touch, particularly with students who have not been able to join our Zoom class due to work schedule changes and family obligations, especially parents who need to support their children's remote learning.
It has become clearer to me by the day how very painful and anxiety-producing this experience is for all of us. Maintaining relationships with those we care about is so important. You are invited to share how you are maintaining relationships during this unprecendented disruption to our lives.
(For those who are interested, here's a blog post outlining "7 Ways to Maintain Relationships During Your School Closure" by Sarah Gonser.)
Stay safe, everyone.
Regards, Susan Finn Miller
Moderator, English Language Acquisition and Teaching & Learning CoPs
Comments
Hello Susan,
Thank you for sharing the topic....In addition to video-conferencing, my class and I have also been using WhatsApp. I communicate with them through web WhatsApp….Mid-March after in person classes were suspended, I created a class WhatsApp group, specifically for my class. Instruction-related documents and links are shared and students get them immediately. Additionally, resources I receive from our program director and fellow teachers that may be relevant are also shared to the students. As you have also mentioned, beyond the instruction-related materials, students have begun sharing photos. We started a “Home Photography” project wherein students share photos taken from home. They upload the photo to WhatsApp or send it by Gmail. The students' shared photos are then added to the “Home Photography” main page. Photos vary, from a plant, a pet, a vase, a special table/chair, a sketch, a lamp, a favorite cup, a home decoration, to a bike...)We are all at home. Interesting what one notices more…..
As for friends, they ask if we can have ZOOM coffee from time to time. I had one yesterday with a former student who is now doing her doctoral studies. Another friend had sent an invite for the end of this week. My daughter at home always keeps us smiling and laughing at home. Makes our day….
I truly agree with what you said that “maintaining relationships with those we care about is so important.” I will read the article you mentioned, "7 Ways to Maintain Relationships During Your School Closure" by Sarah Gonser.)
Stay well….
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Best to all,
Margaret Ibasco
ESL Instructor
Hello Margaret, What a wonderful idea to capture in one place all the photos everyone is taking at home. Like you, I am finding these personal connections to be invaluable.
In my situation, there are a lot of learners who have not been able to attend our daily Zoom class due to work schedule changes and family responsibilities (e.g., parents supporting their children's remote learning). And -- to be honest-- some people are not joining the class because they feel overwhelmed with anxiety due to their loved ones being sick or worrying about loved ones or themselves becoming sick. Several students continue to work in places where poeple have come down with the virus. In fact one of our students has the virus now. Thankfully she is recovering.
This situation is heart-wrenching for all of us. Staying connected with everyone has helped because it reminds us that there is still beauty and kindness all around us.
Keep breathing, everyone, and stay safe.
Take care, Susan Finn Miller
Moderator, English Language Acquisition and Teaching & Learning CoPs
Hi Susan,
Thank you for your response....Truly, the images of home connect students together. "Home Photography" is an ongoing project.
Under local and global circumstances, there is a layer of responsibilities everyone faces. The students make realistic choices. They want to continue learning and complete class work. At the same time, they have family and work responsibilities. Certainly, they are priorities....Thankfully, some asynchronous online tools and can help them catch up with work - Google classroom, Quill.org, Townsend Press, Voicethread, and sending documents back and forth through email and WhatsApp. The main thing is that both students and teacher can never give up; classes work at their own phase. Teachers know their students, what and how much they can do. Both students' and teachers' voices are taken into consideration.
I read the article you mentioned, "7 Ways to Maintain Relationships During Your School Closure" by Sarah Gonser. One segment mentioned about a third-grade teacher who follows up his whole-group instruction via Zoom and does a one-on-one conference and asks them to read out loud for a few minutes and uses the time to provide an opportunity to check on students’ emotional well-being and see if they need clarification on assignments. The video conferencing can certainly connect the class together, if not for the whole time class period, at least one hour and half or two can help. The rest of class assignment can be done independently.
Thanks again, Susan. Indeed, "staying connected with everyone has helped." Stay well....Have a lovely weekend....
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Best to all,
Margaret Ibasco
ESL Instructor