I’m trying to think if there was anything amazing that happened. Anything new that may have taken place. I’m not trying to be ironic or sarcastic, even though I appreciate the well placed language of both. Reflecting on last week, it was really the challenge of teaching skills especially through video conferencing. The challenge was how accustomed to doing this practice a very particular way, I have become. This week I learned the value of pointed and targeted learning.
I learned the essentials of knowing exactly what we were going after and working to get the students there. Targeting the learning for one day is a challenge. This is nothing new. But what is new is the real need to drill down to what is essential in the hour for the students to know, understand and be able to do. This is difficult for any one pre or post Covid-19. For art education, in culture of personal voice and choice targeted learning was always, always a very soft target. Meaning if students did or didn’t ‘hit’ the target there was always tomorrow. Now there is just the time we have together and tomorrow they are doing something else. I want my students to end class with the confidence in what they are being asked to do. Not confusion. So, we are going very slowly. We are practicing the skill, and practicing again. We are taking 20-30 minute virtual studio time ( also known as screen breaks) where students work with their camera on or off but they are still in the class. I check in. We talk. We continue. Just more focused and more targeted.
Also I have been screen sharing Live Web Cams with my students as they come in to start class with the video conference. Here is my favorite. You’re welcome!
Comments