MIT: Distant Thoughts

Kia ora my lovely readers,

In some strange way I feel so privileged to be riding out a time like this with the affordances I have. With routines out the window and new routines slowly forming, I force myself to avoid rushing into a new agenda flooded with activities to fill space. It's difficult. I already have an agenda filled and I'm looking forward to the weekend!





I know all the right things to do. I know that relationships are vital. I know I have been given this time to love my family. To practice kindness and communication. To 'have the time' to look at someone and listen to them fully. Was it really time that I was lacking? Or is it a lack of discipline and character.

Children know these things too.

They know that they should be kind. They know they should look at someone when they are speaking. They know they should take turns to talk.

Children tell me these things.

However, I wonder how many children will experience this in their own homes over this quarantine period.

So here's the clincher. If they know these things but never practice them. If they know these things but never see them in practice, how will they learn.

Therefore, it is our role as educators to teach them.

Now, how do I do this by distance?

We are always talking about preparing our children for the future. "What will future learning and future careers require?" Suddenly the answer is glaringly obvious: remote offices and distance learning.

So, how does this affect my project?

To recap, since the beginning of the year I have had the privilege to work with a Maniakalani team of teachers given the time and scaffolds to investigate our own challenge or project. This is what I am addressing today. The challenge I am tackling with our students is...

This developed into ...

What I now hope to do is use Google Meet as a platform to practice listening skills with students. Google meet cannot function without turn taking. Social connection is now at a premium.

Next steps:

• Set up google meet with small groups.

• Focus on one goal at a time. This might look like etiquette, turn-taking, watching a persons eyes, making your eyes available by looking at the screen, showing validation, or responding to an idea by repeating it. 

• Re-develop the students listening skills rubric to include online inter and intra personal connections.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below. I look forward to hearing from you.