EMBRACING MINDFUL PRACTICES DURING ONLINE CLASSES
BY : SHEELA GEORGE
As educators , we are all
interested in the way our children learn and enjoy their experiences as they progress and develop . High – quality teaching and learning calls in for adequate planning , preparation and professional development among teachers , to integrate the best instructional approaches in classes . While we think of providing the required training for teachers , we should also give equal importance to guiding students to adopt and adapt mindful practices that can enable them to enjoy and excel in their online learning experiences .
Around the world , there have been drastic changes over the past few months . The pandemic never stood as a challenge for schools , in delivering the best teaching practices , to build in creativity and innovation in the online classrooms .
One vital responsibility for school leaders and staff during this crucial time , has been the development of a positive culture that strengthens the relationships among all stakeholders .
To nurture this kind of a culture , schools had to establish norms and practices that lead to respect , teamfocused collaboration and trust . I recently read an article on nurturing conscious discipline in students to accomplish their tasks . I was reflecting on online learning , on how the conscious discipline can be practiced by teachers and parents to scaffold learning and to make it an enjoyable experience for the students .
Some of the best practices that can make online learning exciting and enjoyable using conscious academic discipline :
5 The online instruction of any subject should be divided into digestible chunks that has interesting metaphors , anecdotes , stories and real life situations .
5 Parts of lessons can be retaught by encouraging students to raise questions .
5 Make students feel safe when they raise questions and teach them how their responses can be organised meticulously .
5 Consistently encourage students even when they make mistakes online . This will enable them to develop confidence and try their very best to perform and excel .
5 Students in junior classes can be shown more pictures and given adequate practice to enhance their creativity & imagination and guided to feel safe on the online platform .
5 Active standing up activities , will increase blood flow and enable students to show more interest towards learning .
5 Students should be encouraged to grab an item to fidget when they feel their attention is drifting and their focus in fading .
To build quality teaching in online classrooms , teachers and students should experience success , joy and satisfaction .
Schools should focus on ; strengthening relationships between students , parents and teachers ; integrating intellectual tasks that are challenging , enjoyable and encourage students to celebrate even the smallest of victories .
School ’ s guiding beliefs should be visible in every area of online class , be it curriculum , delivery of lesson , assignments or the assessments .
Students should feel less stressed , more successful and develop a love for learning when they are online with their teachers .
Helping students to connect with peers becomes very important during online classes as they have less opportunities to mingle with friends and have fun . Connecting with families and listening to their inputs becomes equally important in strengthening relationships and building a positive culture .
Conducting student surveys , will help us to understand them as learners and as individuals . Teachers should provide students exit tickets that can make them reflect on their learning .
At my school , we provide opportunities for students and teachers to reflect on their learning by using terms such as Roses , Buds and Thorns and work on thorns by taking adequate help from their peers .
Learning should be an joyful experience for all , so let us build in best practices that can bring out the creativity and critical thinking skills from our students .
A caring and supportive school climate , having staff members working collaboratively and recognising each other ’ s needs , with students being encouraged to take risks and challenges , without any fear in mind , can make a big difference in the online teaching and learning platform .
Ms . Sheela George , Principal of ASPAM IIS , is an educationist with over 28 years of experience . She is a positive & creative thinker . Ms . George has attended numerous Educational Conferences across the US & Australia . Besides developing innovative sustainable practices , Ms . George is passionate about training teachers and mentoring students , to build leaders of tomorrow .
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Term 2 Jan - Mar 2021 Class Time