The Covid-19 Coronavirus has changed the world we live in!
We’re used to learning face-to-face together in a classroom. But, now we might have the opportunity and challenge of learning together in a different way.
Help students adjust to distance learning in a digital classroom.
There are three versions in this product:
- NO PREP REQUIRED: Just print the PDF handouts and go!
- Google Classroom / Google Docs version: no lines (so students can type answers)
- Editable version to print: Google Docs with lines (for students to write answers)
This writing activity will help your students:
- Brainstorm great moments / tough obstacles from learning in a physical classroom
- Brainstorm great moments / obstacles from distance learning in a digital classroom
- Compare learning in a physical classroom and learning during distance learning.
- Identifying what brings them joy (when they are learning) and what obstacles they face.
Getting Ready for DISTANCE LEARNING!
Let’s take a moment now to think about how we think and how we learn…
Learning FACE to FACE in a Physical Classroom
First, let’s take a moment to think about WHAT LEARNING LOOKS LIKE when we are together. Use the table to brainstorm some of the great moments you’ve had and some of the tough obstacles you had to face!
You can use examples from this year or previous years.
We’re thinking about learning. What kind of learning moments did you have…
- In class
- At school
- Outside of school
DISTANCE LEARNING in a Digital Classroom
Now, think about WHAT LEARNING LOOKS LIKE when we are not able to physically meet.
- If you are new to distance learning then make a prediction about what might be great about distance learning and what might be some tough obstacles you will have to face.
- If you have already started distance learning, what are some of the great moments you’ve had so far? What are some of the obstacles you’ve had to face during this time?
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Look at your notes about learning face-to-face in a physical classroom.
Now look at your notes about distance-learning in a virtual classroom.
Do they have anything in common? Can you find any similarities or differences?
Use the Venn diagram to compare learning in a physical classroom and learning during distance-learning. (Don’t forget to look at both great moments and tough obstacles!)
FINDING SIMILARITIES
Look back at your notes and Venn diagram. Answer the questions below.
HINT:
- It’s okay if you add ideas here that you didn’t have in your notes or Venn diagram.
- If you can think of more positive things about learning but you can’t think of any obstacles, one strategy is to think of a positive thing and then figure out what the opposite would be to come up with an obstacle for learning
- If you can think of more obstacles you face in learning but you can’t think of any positive things, one strategy is to think of an obstacle and then try to figure out what the opposite would be to come up with a positive thing about learning
1. What are some positive things about learning (that apply to both learning in a physical classroom and digital classroom.)
Look back at the great moments you had in learning. What do they have in common? What brings you joy when you are learning?
2. What are some obstacles you face in learning (that apply to both learning in a physical classroom and digital classroom)
Thinking about thinking
Write a paragraph about how you learn.
You can choose to write either about…
- A) the best positive thing about learning or
- B) the biggest obstacle you face in learning.
Make sure to include the following:
- A topic sentence.
- Explain the best positive thing (or biggest obstacle you face) in learning
- Give an example of a time you experience this great moment or tough obstacle
- Explain something you noticed about how you learn from your example.
- Closing sentence / Summarize your paragraph
