The 3 Biggest Mistakes Educators Are Making With Their Distance Learning Programs

Teachers are certainly the true heroes in today’s educational landscape.  Without their expertise and strategic exploration,  work packets would become ubiquitous as instructional programs become stale after a few weeks,

Regardless of your age, you have likely never experienced life as we do today.  For educators, the spread of COVID 19 requires us to rethink the way we deliver our instructional programs.  After two weeks of observing instructional programs “streamed” into my household to supplant my children’s face-to-face education programs, I am offering professional feedback for schools and school districts from around the world.  While I could list at least 10 ways teachers could strengthen their instructional programs, I am listing the top 3.

#1 Expecting Students To Engage In Lessons For Extended Periods Of Time

Teachers, please take a page from the book of parents who homeschool their children.  Students do not need to be engaged in lessons for more than 3 hours per day.  Note. students should not be glued to their screens for three hours straight, but rather receive direct instruction for 10-15 minutes and be allowed to further explore learning through activities.  Over a period of 3 hours, this should equate to a total of 30-45 minutes of instruction and 2-2.5 hours of engaging activities.  Teachers, you should be the facilitator of information and not the sage on the stage.  Empower Your Students To Learn!

#2 Failing To Take Advantage Of Virtual Experiences

Teachers, do not require your students to complete worksheets and “drill & kill” activities for extended periods of time.  Many students, due to school budgets that offer little wiggle-room, have limited opportunities to take advantage of out of school learning experiences (field trips).  As educators, we have a responsibility to expose students to life outside of their immediate communities.  Teachers, please plan your lessons/instructional programs to include virtual field trips.  Don’t you want to go to the San Diego Zoo or the Great Wall of China?  Click the following link to access 28 Virtual Field Trips.

#3  Assuming Parents Are Available To Provide Instructional Support

Yes, parents are students first teachers. No, the average parent cannot step in and fill the shoes of their child’s teacher.  As a parent (and educator) who regularly helps my own children, I usually need to teach myself prior to helping my child.  In general, parents are not consistently available to provide this level of support, especially if they are engaged in teleworking responsibilities.  Parents certainly want their children to continue to thrive academically, but parents have accepted the truth that they are not capable of leading their child to the National Honor Society.

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Keith Stephenson is the former Regional Vice President of K12, Inc., the largest provider of online learning. Keith is available for consulting at Keith@ksleadership.com.