Building Culture in a Remote Learning Environment

"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything." ~George Bernard Shaw

On Tuesday evening July 21, a group of educators from various parts of  New Jersey with  a strong connection to Middle Level education assembled for thirty minutes on Twitter for #NJAMLEchat; a virtual conversation that focused on Building Culture in Remote Learning Environments in our public schools. The conversation was presented by NJAMLE and hosted by Black River Middle School and Centenary University educator Joseph S. Pizzo.

The questions ranged from techniques used in a regular or remote classroom  to maintain the existing culture, to challenges presented by remote instruction, to strategies that could be implemented to combat some of the challenges presented by the remote learning experience. In response to the question of techniques used to maintain the existing culture, NJAMLE President Tina Monteleone said " A daily check in of some kind is key in both situations. As simple as using the question function in the Google Classroom to connect or monitor students both for understanding and emotional status."  Longtime NJAMLE leader Sandra Wozniak emphasized the importance of student/teacher relationships with her reply stating " You need to get to know the kids. I think the same activities that you use to introduce yourselves can be done virtually. " Dr. Frank Rudnesky,  a former South Jersey principal, current author and motivational speaker added that " There are still many team builders that can be done remotely that still resonate positivity." All three educators provided great advice for districts that may be implementing a remote model as we move toward the fall re-openings.

 The second question shifted to challenges facing educators and students in an asynchronous or remote learning environment. Here there seemed to be a common thread among the educators that responded regarding issues with interaction, engagement and relationships.  Bruce Reicher a Technology Educator from Upper Saddle River said " The biggest challenge with asynchronous learning is that all the students aren't always there and it's so tough to get non verbal clues when you can't see the students, when you are sharing your screen. Dr. Maribeth Edmunds the principal of the Monmouth Junction Pre K-5  school, doubled down on this idea stating, " Correct, asynchronous learning is more difficult to manage. We need to ensure that students are engaged in the activity and are self regulated and motivated." adding on that " Check ins with students would be helpful. Brianne Adams a Technology Teacher in Westwood and a member of the NJAMLE leadership team added "As an elective teacher I had many students in March who had only just started my class and thus I wasn't able to build that relationship with them that I was able to do with students in September." Moving forward, understanding the nature of these challenges will undoubtedly help educators when preparing for and implementing some type of remote learning model.

The third and final question focused on the implementation of strategies to ensure success within the Remote Learning Model. Dr. Rebecca McLelland-Crawley an accomplished Gifted educator from the West Windsor- Plainsboro School District shared the following regarding her experiences." Frequent check-ins with learners & 1:1 conferences whenever possible. Hosted lots of open Google Meets throughout the day for kids to jump on when it was convenient for them. I let them choose their passion projects and brought outside experts to speak often." Bruce Reicher added " I also gave them more choice with choice board assignments. I hoped they would find one assignment to get excited about."  Dr. Rudnesky shared that his  University class "literally got up and danced." Kristin Baker the Lead Stem Teacher from Mansfield Township said she used,  " Intriguing projects that built upon each other, growing in spiral: geometrical constructions, tessellations, Celtic knot patterns."  Dr. Cheryl Wright an Instructional Coach and University Lecturer said " Some of the strategies I use include protocols, discussion boards, guiding questions, podcasts and student created You Tube videos.  A different type of strategy was shared by both Mr. Reicher and Dr. Edmunds to ensure connection with students. They suggested that there be an open time at the end of the day to conference with students or a time slot for routine office hours. Not only does this meet the need for connection but it also allows the teacher the opportunity to address any academic concerns for their individual students. Professor Pizzo emphasized the importance of this adding, " Agreed, middle level students need to have the opportunity to ask questions. In fact we all do."

Our panelists provided a sample blueprint for future success as it pertains to Building Culture in a Remote Learning Environment. They addressed how to build a positive culture in a traditional and remote learning environment, identified challenges brought on by remote instruction and offered solutions to various types of challenges brought about by this current mode of instruction. The discussion clearly demonstrated the passion that this group of educators has for their craft. Moreover it revealed a strong desire to provide assistance for both students and educators, as they continue to clear hurdles brought on by an educational landscape that shifts often and unexpectedly.

(Note: The entire text of last nights conversation can be found on #NJAMLEchat. If you wish to add any responses to any of the questions in an effort to help other educators, please feel free to do so.)