We all understand that kids can’t sit down for 40 minutes and stare at a computer screen during virtual learning sessions, but we expect them to sit down for 40 minutes and stare at a whiteboard in a typical classroom. We understand that parents are busy during the pandemic and have trouble finding time to help their kids with distance learning, but we expect them to be involved during an average school year. Teachers struggle to get kids participating in virtual and at-distance lessons, but there are always students whose attention seems to drift in the classroom.
There are definitely challenges to remote learning, in whichever form it takes. But most of those challenges are always there! The good news is, the core of any solution is the pedagogy and methodology used to keep students engaged in the lesson and invite parents to collaborate in learning.
In Peru and Bolivia, different branches of the respective Ministries of Education are taking advantage of the enormous opportunity that the COVID pandemic has given all educators. Using Alma’s methodology that focuses on critical and creative thinking strategies, activities based on local culture, and opportunities to practice positive personal, social, and environmental values, they have begun to reassess what “normal” education looks like and address its shortcomings.
Our current work is creating innovative solutions to the obstacles of remote learning, but our core pedagogy is relevant to all forms of education and is useful for teachers in the short and long-term.