Tags
digital learning, ESSA, iReady, IXL, language arts, math, pandemic, students, teachers
The past few months my eyes have been opened. I have learned to appreciate many things that I took for granted like worshiping in my church, family birthday parties and celebrations, a walk in the park, exercising in the gym, and so on. But most importantly, I took for granted my grandchildren’s teachers. Digital learning replaced the classroom and digital math, science, social studies and language arts tools replaced the teachers during this pandemic.
But the truth is, these digital tools were already in our student’s classroom being used daily supposedly to assess the progress of the students or in some cases to personalize the learning for students. In fact, under the “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA) (United States Congress, 2015), schools and districts are expected to use federal funds for evidence-based activities, strategies, and interventions. This includes selecting digital tools and assessment instruments to align with the district’s learning objectives for students. This may be why iReady and IXL are the given tools being used in our district.
IXL, for example tracks each student’s progress, reports it back to the teacher supposedly allowing the teacher to review the digital data and apply what the student needs as additional classroom work or homework. Addressing individual needs is time-consuming and reports show that teachers advise that in order to personalize learning for students, professional development should model this by being personalized to each teacher. While I am not privy to what professional development the teachers are getting, I feel certain it is being provided.
My question is the problem that the online digital tools are not “teaching” the subjects. There is a huge difference between the two, and we parents and grandparents have discovered this during the pandemic. The programs are designed as a supplement, not a permanent form of education. One discovery that affects the success of iReady and IXL is that when a wrong answer is given, the consequence is the student is forced back to start over again. The average student can spend over and hour trying to reach their goal. And if a child spends all day on the computer learning from these digital online tools, research has discovered that when answers are incorrect without explaining misconceptions, students may lose rather than gain opportunities to learn. I saw this firsthand as my granddaughters struggled with the demeaning and unhealthy manner in which iReady and IXL “teach.”
I could find no worth in either of these programs other than it was better than no education at all. But in my opinion, nothing can replace a teacher. It is my prayer and hope that when the day comes that our children and grandchildren return to a classroom setting, they will never be exposed to either of these two programs or any other digital learning unless is limited to a small amount of time and done for fun, not as the main way to learn. I would suggest the school districts spend the money they currently spend on digital programs for additional teachers. Give teachers an opportunity to teach without using the programs.
Yes, we have learned a lot. But for me, it is that teaching is a gift and to be a teacher, care and concern for the student come first over test scores. Small groups, individual attention, paper, pencils, library books, and sharing stories should not be replaced by a chrome book and digital learning. Now is the time to prepare for the return to the classroom and what education really means to our future. Living in this pandemic has been hard on everyone. Compassion and understanding are the keys to surviving. Our children are the most vulnerable and because they are our future, it is our responsibility to put them first. To bring them back to school and sit them in front of a computer again will be like a slap in the face. Let us trust the system and remember the value of our human ability to be present in the lives of those that matter.
It began when I started making quilted ornaments from styrofoam ball. I used a YouTube video to teach myself how to do it. That lead a year-long effort making over 40 ornaments which I gave away to friends, family, teachers, or donated to raise money for my P.E.O. chapter or the Chattanooga Autism Center. My first ball was one of my favorites.
The next thing I knew, I started a weight loss journey with 
The next creative thing I discovered was handmade cards. I found fabric with pretty or cute patterns, cut them out and ironed on adhesive then trimmed them, peeled off the adhesive and ironed the pattern onto a card.
Over 100 children visited with about 15 families hosting a table in lieu of a trunk. I created mummy boxes of raisins, pumpkin cookies, and jack-o-lantern tangerines. They were all a big hit!
November is the month of gratitude. On Sunday, November 3rd, my church celebrated All Saints Day. We met at our outdoor sanctuary, the Earth and All the Stars Chapel. During the Sunday School hour, the children and adults painted hand-made markers with names of loved ones gone before us. We then placed them around the ground surrounding us all. Then during the ceremony we listened to the reading of the Necrology. There was a slight breeze; the sunbeams danced between the tall pine trees; and there was a hush felt as we listened to Fr. Jason and Dea. Jay call out the names. Grateful, I am that everyone could share this beautiful time as a community.
Wednesday next week I have two reasons to be grateful, one is a Local School Goverance Meeting at Lexi’s school, a position I was elected to by other parents and grandparents, and then I am helping a sweet friend and others she has invited to learn to make quilted ornaments. We have reserved a room at the Catoosa County Library and are having so much fun. Finally, we will spend Thanksgiving in Jackson, MS with Mark’s sister and her husband Bob, who is recovering from heart surgery. Grateful that the surgery is a success and that he is on the mend and very excited we are coming to visit. A wood fire buring, a new puppy jumping on our laps, rocking on the front porch under a warm blanket and telling old stories. I love November!
Recently my husband and I volunteered at the Second Annual Adult Autism Symposium in Chattanooga. This is the only such gathering east of the Mississippi River and so many of the attendees came from out of state. The creator of this event is Scott Kramer, program director and founder of the 
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