Wednesday I mentioned the nightmare of testing the kiddos at a distance. Because the classes I'm covering are kind of technically a long-term gig, I was invited to the teacher training for the testing.
It was the make up of the make up. (I was at other schools doing other assignments for both the initial training and the make up training.) So, there were only six of us. Most of the teachers are working from home, so it was a virtual meeting.
I arrived a bit early. A couple teachers were chatting about various topics. Then the assistant principal running the training arrived.
It was as dull as you would imagine. The assistant principal showed us a couple videos demonstrating the things we needed to know, but as those videos had been included in the email about the training, I'd already seen them. (I was prepared.)
As the first video glitched, the assistant principal thought that all of our cameras being on might be taxing the system. So, we turned off our video. Our audio was already muted.
And suddenly we had screens that looked a whole lot like what teaching has looked like lately.
After the last video finished, the assistant principal had a few comments, and then he asked us if we had any questions.
None of us turned our cameras back on. We kept our microphones muted.
And the assistant principal said he understood what we were dealing with in our classes.
To be nice, we then turned our cameras back on, so he could see we were still there.
He dismissed us soon after, as we didn't have any questions. That is why we didn't respond. We're all used to sitting back and letting those with questions have the floor. But there's something unnerving on the other end when you're just looking at basically a blank screen and waiting for someone to say something.
We're all learning with this distance thing. It's a valuable experience.
Strange days, indeed.
ReplyDeleteVery.
DeleteYep, learning the distance thing has had its ups and downs for sure but I think most of the world has jumped right on board and really did well with it. Problem being, people are so tired now. But life has to go on.
ReplyDeleteDoing well? Well, doing as well as we can with the limited time we've had to get adapted to it all. Yes, we're tired. Yes, we want to get on with things. But this virus is deadly. I really don't want more people to die, so I'll deal as long as I have to.
DeleteAnd I'm sure a blank screen is just so informative.
ReplyDeleteIt's beginning to look like we'll be dealing with this horrid virus for the next year or so.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least we can say we lived through a major historical event?
DeleteYou can only work with what you've got. I applaud all teachers for doing everything they can during these crazy times!
ReplyDeleteHa, the make up make up. Is there going to be a make up make up make up?
ReplyDeleteI guess for all the pitfalls of speaking to the black, at least classes can continue during the year of madness.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is a learning situation! I can't imagine it all! There will be manuals written and fine tuned with this experience and sought after should there be another pandemic causing massive school closures.
ReplyDeletebetty
There been an increase covid at our local school dist. I wonder eventually our school dist will on line
ReplyDeleteI retired from teaching last December, just before COVID hit. I still have lots of friends teaching, so I know what you're going through. Best wishes this school year.
ReplyDeleteThanks. You got out just in time ;)
DeleteSorry, I have missed quite a few of your previous posts. I was too tied up with both official and personal work. Hope to return to blogging soon.
ReplyDeleteSince I am doing some lecture sessions for college students, I can perfectly understand what you mean here. It's truly agonising to stare into the blank screen waiting for a student to answer after you have asked a question.