How the Pandemic changed my teaching?

It’s hard to believe that we’re wrapping up 2020. As much as I would love to bash 2020, I have a lot to be thankful for and I am a glass-half-full person! Due to the pandemic, I am so thankful for all the family time we got. We ate every meal together, had more zooms than “normal” in-person gatherings, played outside almost every day, and reconnected as a family. Even though teaching online was hard, I learned some amazing tricks that I’m going to take with me for the rest of my teaching career.

What is something you gained in a positive way from the pandemic?

Teaching Trick 1: I fell in love with chrome extensions!

If you know of any chrome extension support groups, I should probably sign-up because I am addicted! Here are some of my favorites I use on a daily basis.

Awesome Screenshot– Helpful when needing screenshots for directions etc.

Tab Resize – Takes your screen and makes it into split screens easily

Small PDF– Edit, Compress, and Convert PDFs easily​

Grammarly– Edits your grammar

Screencastify– Record yourself teaching with video or audio easily. Saves to drive!

Print-Friendly– Prints clean documents and allow you to edit. Perfect for distance learning

Mote– leave personal voice comments on assignments

Grade transfer– copies grades from learning management tool to a grade book

Timer– Count down timer

Teaching Trick 2: I am never giving paper assignments again!

Besides the obvious paper waste, I hated waiting at the copier! I always hated and despised it as a teacher. The jams, the lines, feeling like I needed to choose between eating lunch or making copies and ultimately deciding to do both at the same time..

This year due to Covid, I decided I gave up on paper assignments, even my tests are virtual. I am loving google classroom and drive integration. I am never going back!​

Trick 3: The mailman is my friend

I have learned to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. I met my mailman, Rich. He quickly became my kid’s favorite person and secretly mine… partially due to my Amazon addiction.​

Trick 4: Increase student engagement

This year I am making a conscious effort to increase student engagement online. Last year, I barely used the chat feature of zoom except if students had questions. This year I am building in social, emotional, and academic participation into my lessons by purposely using the chat as an asset in my classroom.

For example, I had students respond to ice breakers such as a shovel or plow when we had a large snowstorm or coffee or tea as a way to get them engaged in a fun way. Incorporate gifs into your lessons such as mindful minutes.

Ask content related questions as students discuss articles in a socratic circle, questions as they watch a video, or respond to prompts anytime I would normally do a think pair share in a normal classroom setting.

I have seen a huge increase in student engagement since I started doing this. Kids who won’t turn their camera on are participating and engaged. They even answer each other’s questions. My only regret is that I wish I did it last year.

One tip: I have is to get a second device or monitor, which allows you to see the chat and their faces on one screen and the lesson on the other. Do you teach with two devices or a second monitor?

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To celebrate the New Year, I am having a 20% off sale with the code: newyear.

You can get 20% off Bundles, courses, tests, activities, and projects. Everything is my store is Google Drive compatible and editable.

I want to wish you a happy and healthy new year!