It’s Time to Think Differently About the Way Things Have Always Been Done

😷JedTalks: Home Edition

😱What a difference a week makes. My most recent post talked about that “chasm” we've learned about between the early adopters of innovation in general, or edtech specifically.

😳Well, here we are.  We are ALL in the chasm, overwhelmed, unprepared and unsure of what this is all supposed to look like. We are in various states of remote-learning, extended-learning, distance-teaching, or enrichment. Our edu-world has changed itself. 

😏The common knock that gets thrown around (and rightfully so) is the risk of “changing for the sake of change.”  I think it’s safe to say that all of our recent shifts in our thinking and adjustments to our practice are for the sake of our students. The structures, the schedules, and the tools have changed, but look at what’s stated the same: the commitment to student, families, connection, and learning. 

It’s time to think differently 

about the way things have always been done. 

😬This pandemic is the ultimate equalizer.  We all find ourselves in a state of feeling overwhelmed, unprepared, and out of our comfort zones to access strategies or resources outside our normal instructional skill-sets.  I’ve learned a lot in the past 10 days, at a faster rate than I like, and I bet you have too!

😎Everyone is in the chasm, everyone is unsure of what’s best or what’s next. The best we can do is support ourselves and our families, connect with each other, and connect with families to support their kids first, and support learning second. I’ve been amazed and impressed by how many colleagues have already taken broader steps in the past few days than they have all year, through peer collaboration and district expectation, but more importantly through the need to reach their students. 

😟For educators who have felt reluctant or waited out edtech initiatives, the day has arrived to take the plunge, and my fellow coaches are here to support you! This circumstance is not what any of us have prepared for, but thinking differently about the way we’ve always done things and finding solutions is exactly what we are here for. 

😊No one will do this perfectly, but we will all do what we do best: connect with kids, inspire learning like we always do, and reach out families who find themselves in equally uncharted waters.