Student Thoughts about Hybrid Learning

Week before last I asked students some feedback questions about hybrid learning. We are pivoting off of hybrid this coming week, so I really should have written this post last weekend, but the information I received is still relevant, as I will continue to use some of the things I implemented for hybrid learning AND I feel it is very likely we will have to move back into hybrid learning at some point.

I've said it before, but I love gathering student thoughts. Yes, they think and communicate like young teenagers, but I always get good information and ideas from them.

I asked students about four aspects of hybrid learning: how it was going for them, Zoom sessions, the Weekly Planner, and lesson videos.

The Hybrid Experience

Students enjoy the slower pace of remote learning. They only had to Zoom for academic classes, so they had periods of time during the day that had no official obligations. They like being able to sleep a little later. They like moving at their own pace.

Their favorite aspect of being at home? Being able to eat what they want when they want it.

They don't like not having direct access to teachers while doing their work. They don't like having to deal with sometimes-glitchy technology. They feel they are more distracted at home and have a harder time completing their work (I would agree).

Zoom Sessions

I specifically asked about the Zoom sessions for my class, because every teacher did it a little differently.

In general, they liked the length of my sessions. Since I flipped lessons, I took attendance, did some sort of warm-up/introduction, and then explained the day's tasks/assignments. Students were free to hang around and work on their assignments while still on the Zoom session, but they seldom did.

I didn't realize how much Zoom lagged for many of them. Many mentioned they missed things that were said due to glitches.

The Weekly Planner

The Weekly Planner is a huge hit. One student said, "I live by the planner." I was talking to a group of students about continuing the use of the Weekly Planner, and one student asked, "You haven't always used the Planner?!?"

They like the Planner being organized and being able to find their assignments all in one place. They like knowing if they have completed everything they needed to do for a particular day.

Several asked for due dates to be listed in the Planner. The due dates are on the assignments in Google Classroom, but it is probably easy enough to also add that information to the Planner.

Lesson Videos

I must admit, I was a little nervous asking about the lesson videos. I just wasn't sure this group was "jiving" really well with the videos.

My fears were unfounded. They like all the aspects of videos that are the reasons I use videos: going at their own pace, being able to rewind, having the videos available to watch again later. Yesterday a student wanted to ensure that I would still be doing videos even when we are not following the hybrid model.

Interestingly, several mentioned wishing there was a way to encourage them to watch and engage with the video instead of "clicking through." One class actually asked me to play a video from the board so they could watch it as a class. I think EdPuzzle would do what they're asking for, but then they lose the ability to watch the video at a faster or slower pace if they want??? I'm still thinking about it. The fact that they're self-aware enough to know they're doing something that is not in their best interest is positive.

I can say I am seeing growth in their use of the videos and the notes they take. I sometimes forget the learning curve for how to use an academic video.

-------------------------------------------

Overall, I thought the feedback I received from students was positive. Most of them are doing what they can given the circumstances and are rising to the challenge. Most of them feel I am adequately meeting their needs.

This coming week I will get to see all of my students at the same time and watch them all work on the same assignment. Things are still not "normal," but I am thankful for any amount of time I get to be with them all together.

This school year will continue to require frequent reflection and adaptation, and we will all continue to take one week...one day...one class period at a time.

The Sound of Silence

 Students started school about three-and-a-half weeks ago (it feels like it has been much, much longer). Of all the things that can be said about this school year (and there are many), one of the biggest surprises to me is that it is the quietest school year ever.

We are currently on a hybrid A/B schedule, so we have roughly half of our students in the building at a time. Of course it would be expected to be quieter than "normal."

But it's not just "quieter." It's quiet. Sometimes silent.

The halls are quiet. Our counselor has been playing music between classes to inspire some energy. And noise. Yesterday was the first day I actually heard students while they changed classes.

Part of it is the masks. Students can't whisper or talk quietly to one another, so they don't talk.

Part of it is the synchronous live class + Zoom format. Students on Zoom don't want to talk at all. Students in class are beginning to participate some, but not much. I bribed a group on Zoom yesterday with candy if someone would unmute and answer a question.

I have never been a "quiet classroom" teacher - teachers who had those classrooms always amazed me (and freaked me out a bit) - but this year, it's a quiet classroom. I have one decently chatty group right now, and they feel much noisier than they really are because of the extreme quietness of other groups.

I played a couple of games this week, and they were eerily silent. Zero response from the group who played Bingo. A few reactions from the groups who play synchronous Quizlet Live, but not many.

This coming week I am going to do a digital breakout, and I hope it spurs communication and collaboration. We'll see.

Students seem a little hesitant to even ask questions when they have them. A few will raise hands. I try to make sure I circulate and look over shoulders and comment on what they are doing so they will hopefully feel comfortable asking me something if I am in their vicinity.

I am finding that personal, digital means are the best ways to communicate with students.

I do a daily "Attendance & Bell Work" Google Form and ask students if they have any questions or comments for me. I don't get many, but a few ask how I'm doing (that is always touching), and one girl asks me a "Question of the Day," trying to get to know my favorite things. I love it. A couple of students ask questions about assignments or procedures. And one student reached out for help with current material. If a student makes any sort of comment whatsoever, I try to respond.

Thankfully, students seem to be pretty comfortable reaching out through Google Classroom or email. The distance learning of last spring probably helped develop that habit.

It has been much more difficult to establish that ever-important connection and relationship this year (and I can't even imagine how it is for those who are completely virtual), but we are getting there.

I've always been a huge believer in the importance of "checking in" and seeing how students are doing and how things are going, but if students are currently not comfortable speaking out loud, it is more important than ever. I will be even more intentional about trying to break the deafening silence.

Working the Plan

 A month ago I described my rough, untested plans for structuring my classes and assignments for the not-yet-started school year. Wow...it's hard to believe that was a month ago! It was a few days before teachers started back to school and a couple of weeks before students started.

In that post, I described my ideas for the use of a Weekly Planner template by SlidesMania.

Students have been in school (in a hybrid format) for 2 weeks. We've had devices and in digital instruction for a week.

So...how's it going?

Short story: I like the planner.

Issues I've had:

Time: Creating the planner takes a lot of time. Linking to assignments takes a lot of time. Each class has its own unique link for an assignment in Google Classroom, so I create one planner, make copies of it, and then link individual assignments throughout the week.

When I can, I link directly to websites (like IXL and Quizlet). I'm considering linking directly to Google Forms instead of posting Google Forms as assignments. I would lose being able to look at an assignment in Google Classroom and quickly see who has or hasn't completed the Form, but it would save me a few links (and, believe me, they add up!)

Student Understanding of the Planner: I began "training" students with the planner from almost Day 1, before students had devices. The ones who understand the planner seem to like it (I need to ask for specific feedback). But others seem to be a little lost. I've explained the numbers above each day. I click through the numbers each day, mentioning "Activity 1," "Activity 2," etc. A couple of students admitted yesterday it took them a while to understand what the numbers were for. For funsies, today I put a picture of this week's planner on a Weekly Quick Check and asked, "How many activities are planned for Friday?" Several students missed the question.

Where do I go from here?

I continue using the planner. Students need more training. I need to find out exactly what the confusions are and address them. I think I'm going to do some warm-up-style activities about the planner.

I wait for the lightbulbs about how to streamline the creation process. I'm already doing a lot of copy-and-paste, so that's good, but I have a feeling I could be more efficient.

I still believe the planner was (and is) the way to go. I like that everything students need is in one place. It is a great vehicle for lesson organization when approximately half of my students are in my classroom with me and the other half are on the other side of a webcam. It will be a great vehicle for lesson organization if we are ever forced to be completely virtual. The planner continues to hold great potential, and I will continue to try to figure out how to best use it.