What do we do now?

I know there is a lot of uncertainty right now with how the fall will look. I know as a teacher I always had a plan and goals for the summer. It might be things I wanted to explore, or a unit I wanted to make more engaging. So what about this summer?

Even though, as of today, we haven't heard what the fall will look like- I believe for those teachers who want to prepare for it, there is something we can do now.

Here's the thing- we know we will need some form of online learning platform set-up. So how about doing that?

I believe we will be looking at some sort of hybrid environment. Even if you live in a state that has said you will be going back 100% face to face, you have to take into account the students whose parents will refuse to send them until they feel comfortable. You will also have to take into consideration students who have immunodeficiency disorders who won't be able to return. AND you still will want to prepare for the possibility of hearing on Friday that you will going virtual on Monday for a 6 week period, or other designated timeframe. One thing we learned is that we don't want to be caught unprepared like last time. With all this in mind, why not create that platform and start planning for having it ready to go in order to build in procedures and routines on its use and the digital workflow right from the beginning of school?
Also, let us not forget integrating technology into your learning should be a goal no matter what environment we are in next year. We need to not forget that this is the world we are living in and it is in our best interests, and that of our students, to integrate the use of technology so they can harness its power to make a difference in this world and be successful.
Here's what I think it could look like:

I realize that this is a simplified view, yes there is so much more involved in the learning environment than I added. But think of this as the big picture.

So with these scenarios you can see we can start planning now and get your virtual environment planned out. Depending on your district requirements, what platform will you use? Take the time now to learn more about that and start setting it up now so that no matter what we find out in the next couple of weeks we'll have that ready and then can focus on the rest of the decisions that will need to be made.

As always, I wish you all well-- we will get through this-- and as educators we will do it well, but more importantly, we don't have to do it alone. Now, more than ever, we need to rally together and help each other.