Being Flexible during a Global Pandemic

2020 has been an extremely difficult year filled with change. We are living through a global pandemic. COVID-19 has negatively impacted millions of people throughout the world, some of those people being teachers and students. School nowadays looks a lot different. Teachers are relying heavily on technology on a day-to-day basis for instruction, assignments, assessments and communication. This week I read Chapter 2 of ‘The Flexible SEL Classroom’ by Amber Chandler. This week’s chapter discussed to use of technology in the classroom and more about what a flexible classroom looks like, which felt very relevant with all that is happening lately.

Using technology has become part of our everyday lives, should we continue to use it while at school? I think so. Our society relies on technology so heavily that it has become a routine in our daily lives. Teaching students to use technology is not only interesting to them but useful. Flexible classrooms promote technology as a way for students to self-manage and collaborate. Students can use technology to organize, plan, work with others, work from home and study anywhere. For example, Google Calendar allows for students write down important due dates and set due date reminders, making keeping track of classwork very easy. Students may also share their calendars to keep track of group projects. Not only is using technology an important skill to have, but it is also crucial as we navigate through a global pandemic. Oftentimes, students are doing school work at home. Although COVID-19 has impacted many lives negatively, the increased use and fluency of technology this generation of students is gaining will come in handy as they look for jobs one day. Knowing how to use technology in a professional setting is pure gold to employers. Workplaces want employees to be fluent in using Google Apps, Microsoft Apps, etc. Using these applications in your classroom will not only enhance the content being taught, but also teach students a new skill that is valuable in their everyday lives and in their future endeavors. As we increase the use of technology in our classrooms, students may also become more engaged. Using technology may make students feel a sense of responsibility and choice in their education, making the classroom a more positive and student-driven space.

Another important component of a flexible classroom includes rolling due dates and allowing students to help choose due dates of assignments. In doing this, students will feel a sense of engagement, responsibility and choice in their education. Not only do rolling due dates allow for student choice of when to hand in an assignment, but it is also a less stressful way of grading assignments because all students will hand them in at different times. Allowing for a choice of when to hand in assignments will also decrease the amount of missing assignments from students. If students have a choice and a flexible school schedule, they feel as if their outside lives are valued and will do the work when it is reasonable for them to do it. Rolling due dates are especially important during these difficult times we are experiencing. Right now, life is not normal and many students are experiencing anxiety and stress in regards to school. Teachers have the opportunity to alleviate some of that anxiety and stress by using the rolling due date concept. I believe right now is an important time to be as flexible as possible and this flexible classroom concept will be helpful to many.

Through all of the craziness, anxiety, stress and sadness many have experienced throughout the last six months, school should not be a main source of stress in our student’s lives. As a teacher, I believe school should be a safe space and right now is the most important time for students to have that safe space. With that being said, flexibility is necessary at a time like this. Technology and rolling due dates are two ways to promote flexible classrooms while also allowing for student engagement, responsibility and choice.