WiNK

WiNK -Virtual Voices: Teaching During Distance Learning

As the 2019- 2020 school year comes to end I decided to ask teachers as well as students what skills and dispositions they have learned during distance learning that will benefit them when we return to school. We all wondered initially how distance learning would go and how our teachers would approach it. When I interviewed teachers, I was surprised to hear what they had specifically learned and how they plan to incorporate these new skills when we return to campus.

Wooster teachers agreed to give this reporter one-on-one interviews to reveal why they took away from teaching in isolation. One of the things that was impressive among the faculty I spoke with was a feeling of increased empathy for our Wooster students. There was also a shared feeling of listening more and becoming even more focused on each student individually. Mr. Rexford said, "It was important to listen better withholding judgement and giving students the benefit of doubt even more. We were also pushed harder than ever before."

Mr. Hutchins noticed that more empathy was needed and everyone was not equal in their home study space and electronics capabilities. So, he believed that collaboration and organization became crucial skills. "The coolest thing was to learn about new apps, which was a lot of fun and very helpful," according to Mr. Hutchins.

Dr. Taraz also spoke along some of the same themes that Mr. Hutchins and Mr. Rexford shared. But, she was the most excited about the "new technology" available. "I will continue using and experimenting with more technology in the future." She found that "flexibility and tolerance are important skills to have and develop further."

Now from the viewpoint of various students...

Katie Esposito, Class of 2023, said "patience, patience, patience" was a skill she gained. "It was hard to hear and focus sometimes 'cause there were so many people talking at the same time during Google Meets. Mute your mics please!"

Patrick O'Brien, Class of 2022, stated that the skill he has picked up has been staying on task even when there are distractions at home going on. "There are so many more distractions at my house than at Wooster!"

Bailey Fleming, Class of 2021, shared that self-advocacy was something she found to be a useful skill in distance learning. "Scheduling office hours to get help from my teachers has been crucial."

To sum it up, we all became new learners adapting to distance learning, interaction and technology. We gained new skills and more empathy for our future success. " In the moment we still trust you to do the right thing at the right time. Generals can be stronger when we return," added Mr. Rexford.