National Standards for Quality
When I first read the instructions for this blog, I wondered if I had the ability to catch any discrepancies that we were asked to observe. However, as I read the standards, I did notice a few things that seem to either be missing, or that were very vague in their description.
The first question concerned the grade level of the standards. I only began to wonder after I read a description that has an asterisk and read below that it was lifted from the k-12 standards. The content standards stated that the online course should be free of adult content. Again, what level are these standards addressing? I had to search on their website to find the answer to this question and found it in the "About" tab. I found this issue ironic considering that the standards address the issue of navigation through a course's content.
The next thing I noticed was there was nothing concerning the emotional needs of a student. There is nothing stating that instructors should try to connect with their students. I was hoping that after reading the descriptions of the standards, I would find some reference to student's emotional needs. There is some language that eludes to this need such as "instructor-supported" and "engage in conversation." Yet, when you read on, you see that this is in reference to academic needs.
Being that this is for K-12, I find it odd that the need for connection is not included as a strong statement within the standards. I kept hearing Rita Pierson in my mind as I searched for something that addressed this need, "Students don't learn from people they don't like" (Pierson, 2013).
References
Pierson, R. (2013). Transcript of “Every kid needs a champion.” www.ted.com. https://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion/transcript?language=en
Carrie,
ResponderBorrarYou make a great point that developing relationships with students is not highlighted well in these standards. I love the quote you included, "Students don't learn from people they don't like" (Pierson, 2013).
In research on teacher-student relationships, communication, ego-support and conflict resolution are a few of the teacher skills that impact the quality of student relationships (Frymier & Houser, 2000). What are your thoughts on how to foster teacher-student relationships in a virtual environment?
Frymier, A.B., & Houser, M.L. (2000) The teacher‐student relationship as an interpersonal relationship. Communication Education, 49:3, 207-219.
Hello!
BorrarThe suggestions that I have come from Hammond's book, Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain (2015). The first suggestion is to play games in which the objective is to learn something about each other. Apps like Kahoot can make this a fun way to learn about each other.
Another suggestion is to have one to one conversations. Making time to conference with each student creates a sense of connectedness that might not otherwise be felt. It can be anything from going over expectations, giving students a voice, or simply asking how things are going for the student.
I would like to add that what first has to exist is the teacher's desire to get to know students as individuals. When a teacher wants connections with students, they find ways to do it. It shows through their interactions with students whether they be in person or through emails.
Hammond, Z. (2015). Culturally responsive teaching and the brain: Promoting authentic engagement and rigor among culturally and linguistically diverse students. Corwin.
Carrie,
BorrarThese are great suggestions. I agree that a teacher must have the desire and motivation to do these things. With those in place, teachers can use your strategies to make students feel seen, heard and recognized. These relationships are crucial for student success.
Carrie,
ResponderBorrarI believe you did the blog correctly. Now that you mention it, I did not see anything about the emotional needs for the students. But I do wonder if that would fall under the topic of communication because that is a topic usually discussed between the teachers and parents/guardians. I love the quote at the end. My motto is you want to be remembered with a smile, not a frown. Be the teacher you wish you had when you were their age. My question for you is if you had to add 3 subtopics, what would you add?
Courtney
Hello Courtney!
BorrarI really only have one subtopic I would add and that would be to include something to do to with SEL. If students are in a regular classroom, they develop socially through the interaction they have with other face to face student, but this would not be possible if they receive their education online. An SEL component would remind teachers that they must include activities that give students the opportunity to interact. I haven't experienced teaching using metaverse, but I have experienced it as a user and read research about it in another class that you and I were in. I was thinking that incorporating metaverse activities could provide students the type of interaction that is needed for students when off line.