Remote Learning: Why I Despise it so Much

 A guest post by Patrick 

The Screen

One reason why I don’t like remote learning is because we are on a screen for a total of 7 hours, and not to mention the uncanny brightness! First it's too bright, then it's too dark! At least if we are on our phones or playing video games it's actually FUN.

ZOOM

Another reason why I don't like remote learning is because of Zoom. Zoom is cool and all but it’s WAY laggier and always freezes unless you have the top notch internet. Once, I was locked out of my Zoom classes for a whole week and a half!

Big, Black, Boxes

My third reason why I don’t like remote learning is because NOBODY turns their camera on! All I see is the teacher’s face, and then some big boxes with names in them! (Of course, I don’t either, but only because I got a haircut and nobody else does!)

The Expectations

My fourth reason I don’t like remote learning is because they expect us not to type to our friends in the chat when we have NO OTHER WAY to communicate with them! I can't get their phone numbers, or their discord! And I cant use this laptop after school because its “FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES ONLY.”

Timing

My fifth and last reason why I don't like remote learning is because we start school at 7:20 AM! Why so early!? Why not 8:30-2:30? We don't get ANY sleep because we're used to our summer schedule, (stay up till 12 am, sleep till 2 pm.) and we get up at sunrise? What is this a prison!?

Thank you so much for reading this, I appreciate it and please, consider some changes.

I'm Just a Guy, in a Room, Talking about Science

You should see this remote teaching thing from my perspective. You would not believe it.

I’ve continually got twenty-four tabs open, spread across two browsers. My computer notification chimes about every 17 seconds. There are notifications of work ready for review/grading, private comments on google classroom, emails from the administration and my 7/8 grade team, notices from tech support, parents texting me on Remind, and people trying to sell me stuff that is “ideal for remote learning.”  When I have the volume up on my computer, I can hear that chime all over the house. I can hear it during class, when I’m having dinner, playing with the dog, brushing my teeth, it’s nearly all the time…chime, chime, chime, chime, chime, chime, chime, chime.

This whole way of doing school is very difficult to cope with - and I am sure it is equally difficult to cope with on your side as well. 

For me, the hardest part are the virtual zoom classes. Almost no one turns their cameras on, so I’m faced with a screen full of black boxes with names. When I ask a class of 27 students to put their thoughts, ideas and opinions in the chat, the same 5 to 7 people respond and that’s about it. 

“What are the rest of you doing?” I often wonder, picturing you napping, playing video games or using your phones.

I feel like I’m talking to myself a lot of the time. Intellectually, I know people are there, but there is so little human contact, that it feels like I am very alone. Maybe you feel the same way too.

A typical class goes something like this:

Me: “ Okay, so that’s the end of the lecture part of the class. As a reminder, I have posted a recorded version of this lecture on google classroom along with your work. Please go to google classroom, review the video and complete the handout I posted. Does anyone have questions or comments? Just put them in the chat.”

Chat: <silence>

Me: “Okay, please stay on the call while you do your work. I am here if you have any questions. I’ll be doing my attendance while you work.”

Me: (quietly muttering to myself): “Okay, Tony’s here, Billy, Amy, no James today, …”

Chat: “What are we doing?”

Me: “Please go to google classroom and watch the video version of the lecture, then do the handout posted with it. Is everybody clear about what you should be working on? If you have questions, please put them in the chat.”

Chat: <silence>

Me: (again, quietly muttering to myself): “James is here, I see Lori, Alex is here, Steve, Jenny, Aggie, no Pearl…”

Chat: “What are we supposed to be doing?”

Me: “Again, please go to google classroom and watch the video version of the lesson, then do the handout posted with it.”

Me: (still, quietly muttering to myself): “Okay, where was I? Oh yes, no Pearl, Shelly is here, Ruth is here…”

Chat: “Is there any work for today?”

Me: “For the third time, please go to google classroom. Watch the video version of the lesson, then do the handout posted with it. Everybody all set?  Any questions about what is expected of you, right now? If so, please ask your questions in the chat.”

Chat: <silence>

Attendance is now done. I can respond to a couple of emails and reply to a parent on Remind.

Chat: “What are we doing?”

Me: “For the fourth time,” holding up four fingers in front of my camera, “please go to google classroom and watch the video version of the lesson I just taught, then do the handout posted along with it. Does anyone have any questions about what I am expecting of you? Please put your questions in the chat.”

Chat: <silence>

Chat: <silence>

Chat: <silence>

Chat: <silence>

Chat: <silence>

Chat: <silence>

Me: “Just to be sure…are we all on the same page? Everyone know what you’re supposed to be working on? It’s posted to google classroom, as it is every day. When you’re done, you may do late work, work for another class, or read a book. Please reach out if you are having any trouble at all.”

Chat: <silence>

Chat: <silence>

Chat: <silence>

Chat: <silence>

Chat: <silence>

Chat: <silence>

Chat: “I can’t find the work.”

Me: “Ugh.”

So, there you have it. 

I'm just a guy, in a room, talking about science. <sigh>

If you’d like to write a companion post about what virtual learning is like from your side of things, let me know. I have allowed students to guest post on my blog in the past and would enjoy doing so again.

Yes, There is a Sword Hanging in my Office

We all do it…we look for clues about the people we know. On zoom call’s we look at the background of the room people are zooming from. Last Spring, during a 7th and 8th grade team meeting, one of your teachers asked “Is that a sword, hanging on the wall behind you?” 

And, yes, there is a real sword hanging in my home office. 

My home office is where I’m working right now. The 8th grade is very familiar with my home office, but things have changed since the spring, so I figured I’d do an updated tour of my new “classroom.”

To my right, is a glass display case. I display two things; models that I have built and "obsolete objects."

I enjoy building scale models. I have a few in my classroom at the Bartlett. In my glass case, I have a series of US battleships that shows the development of these immense ships over time. I have an aircraft carrier and a few planes I have recently built.

The "obsolete objects" are a collection of things that were once every day items in my life that society no longer uses. I have a record album, 8-track and cassette tapes, my video iPod (5th generation from 2005 (and yes, it still works)), my iPod shuffle and about 50 other items, many of which, you would be hard pressed to identify. Remember, I'm old so I've seen a lot of changes in my life.

Next, I have my father's medals and his sword. My dad served in the Marines and fought in the Korean War. Unfortunately, my dad passed away about 2 years ago. He gave these treasures to me before he passed. I miss him all the time.  I would love to bring the sword into school. It has beautiful engravings on the blade. Unfortunately, bringing weapons into school is frowned upon.

I also have some models that are kind of failed attempts. 

In the back left corner, is where I build and paint scale models. I’m currently working on a model of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

By the way, the picture of the ship over my modeling area is the wreck of the SS America. I have this thing for ships - I love big, steel ships.

Next to this picture is a Nerf Bow ’n Arrow. Yes, it works. It was a gift from my youngest child. When he was born, I worked for a toy company that made Nerf products, board games like Monopoly, and other toys. 

My desk area is where I spend 90% of my time when I'm in here. I have photographs that are important to me on the walls, knickknacks, my computer and other assorted desk-like items. I have a plant that is usually on the windowsill of my classroom. This plant was given to me by a student about 5 years ago. At that time, it was smaller than my thumb. 

This is where I’m spending my time right now. 

This is where I’m zooming from with you. I know I have a virtual background right now, but just because I have a very bright window right behind me when I zoom.

My Life in Sticky Notes

Okay, what we’re doing right now is a lot. Being remote and teaching kids who are also remote is hard. There are hundreds of things to keep track of in a day, thousands of thoughts that pass through my head while teaching, and nearly zero capacity to keep track of it all in real time.

My solution?

Sticky notes.

I jot notes to myself all day long. I stick them to my desk, my computer, my phone, anyplace where I’m sure to find it later. 

At this moment, I have six sticky notes stuck to my computer screen - in addition to three more pieces of paper outlining my schedule and other school-related stuff. 

One note reminds me to cancel a dental appointment, one is to remember to write this blog post. There is nothing earth shattering about any of these notes, but, in this tech-driven world, the fact that this is the best way I have found to stay on top of things says something.

What I’ve Been Reading

Anyone who knows me, knows I enjoy reading. Between audiobooks and physical books, I usually read about 25 to 30 books a year.  

In the windows next to my classroom door, I usually post the books that I am reading and have just finished. My little reading posters have prompted some interesting conversations between students other teachers and myself.

Since almost none of us are in school right now, I figured I’d share what I’ve been reading recently. 

Since we left the building due to the pandemic in March, here’s what I’ve been reading:

The Value of the Moon: How to Explore, Live, and Prosper in Space Using the Moon's Resources - This was really interesting and makes a convincing case about why we should be going back to the Moon to stay before venturing to Mars.

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams (Audiobook) - Sleep is really underrated. We think our brains are resting when we're sleeping, but they’re really hard at work while our bodies rest.

The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History (Audiobook) - Yeah, I had to read this and it was great. It provides a really good perspective on the last pandemic and, at the end, foreshadows this pandemic.

State of Play: The Old School Guide To New School Baseball - Each year, I try to read one book about baseball - my favorite sport. This was good, but not great.

Infinite Wonder: An Astronaut's Photographs from a Year in Space - This is more of a picture book and the images are spectacular.

Caesar's Last Breath: Decoding the Secrets of the Air Around Us - A great book by my favorite science writer. 

The Science of Hitting - Second baseball book of the year. This one written by the greatest hitter of all time: Ted Williams. I read this in middle school, so it's one of a very short list of books I have read twice.

Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man - This is about President Trump. It is not a flattering look.

The Periodic Table (Audiobook) - This is a very personal story of Nazi Germany presented in the context of chemistry. Very interesting. Some of my 8th graders will get to read a chapter of it later in the year.

The Science of Sci-Fi: From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel (Audiobook) - Most science fiction movies and TV shows play fast and loose with science. This book explains how things like time travel, faster than light travel, and worm holes in the fabric of space could work. It was short and fun.

The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition - This is a must-read for people. The diary

of a 13 year old girl who is in hiding from the Nazi’s in Amsterdam. Anne and her family are jewish and fear being sent to a German concentration camp, so they hide for two years in the attic of a warehouse.  

Ringworld - This is a highly acclaimed science fiction novel I have wanted to read for some time. Now, turned out to be the time. I’m only about 30 pages in, but I think I’m going to enjoy it. 

If you need a book or a book recommendation, reach out to me and I’ll do what ever I can to help out. 

Just Keep Swimming

Two days into the new way of doing school and I don’t like it.

I’ll get used to it and you will too. 

When I’m sharing my screen, I feel like I’m talking to myself. 

It’s very weird. 

When I’m in the classroom, I can see and hear you. I know when you’re listening and when you’re not. I can interact with you so easily and in so many ways - big and little. 

Now, it’s so difficult. But, it's the best we can do under the circumstances.

I will get used to it. I will make changes as we go on. You will get used to this too and probably make changes in the way you do things as well. 

Together, we will get through this very strange experience and get back to in-school learning at some point. 

Until then, just keep swimming, it’s all you can ever do.

Just keep swimming.

Just keep swimming.

Just keep swimming.

Welcome to the 2020-21 School Year: It's Gonna Be Weird!

Welcome to the 2020-21 School Year and Welcome to my blog!

I write here pretty much every week. This is where I write about my life as a teacher and a person. Yes, teachers are people just like you - we’re just older, more experienced and better educated than you (of course, we’re working hard to change that!)

I encourage you to read my posts. Sometimes they’’ll be funny, sometimes serious and sometimes in between.  Sometimes, I will assign you a blog post to read. 

My posts are not long so you won’t strain your brain reading them. Many students find them interesting and funny. 

I usually post on Sunday mornings. I will post a link on google classroom, so you’ll get an email notification when there’s something new to read.

Please read.

Please feel free to comment.

Please talk to me about what I write.

This is gonna be a weird school year. I suspect I will have a lot to say. 

Stay tuned.

PS - What do you think the name of my blog “On the shoulders of giants” means???