Teaching online, a peek behind the computer screen

Duncan meets with her students over Zoom to take attendance, give instructions, and then jumps into the new learning concepts of the day.

She has about 28 students, whether that’s physically being in the classroom or virtual.

Over the last year, she was pushed out of her comfort zone, but also found new ways to teach along the way.

“I feel like before I used to be so stressed about small details, like I have to have a plan for everything and now it’s just like roll with the punches,” Duncan said.

Parts of online learning are time-consuming, as teachers sometimes have to work from the ground up with lesson plans.

Duncan films and edits educational videos for her students, teaches, add in assignments, among other tasks, even after school hours.

Fellow CHHS science teacher Nicole Pocsik agrees it’s been an interesting year to say the least.

The pair work together to build new material and ideas for their classes.

“I feel like as a teacher it made me grow significantly in my profession, in what I believe and how I view assessment and all that stuff,” Pocsik said. “Although it was a very tough year, it was very tough. There were a lot of bright spots and a lot of really great moments.”

And even through virtual teaching, Pocsik says her students were still able to experience what it’s like to be in her classroom.

“I feel like that’s what made online successful for me was being able to focus in on those relationships, check in on students, and have them check in on me. Sometimes they’ll ask are you okay? And I’ll be like yup, we’re making it through,” she added.

MHPSD superintendent Mark Davidson agrees that staff and students have a broader set of skills since last March and they can take these tools back to a face-to-face environment.

Meantime, the province’s education minister is confident students will finish the school year with in-person learning.

Something that Davidson says is the more preferred option.

“We go there to do a job and students come there to access learning. But we can’t deny the fact that it’s a really important part of the social lives of the young people who come to our buildings,” he said.

“First of all, how much we love our students, how much we love being in front of them, and missing that when we’re not,” Duncan added.

by Chantal Wagner

Teaching online, a peek behind the computer screen

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