Some countries like mine are lucky enough to look towards taking steps to ease restrictions. I have no crystal ball to tell you what will happen on return to classrooms. So I sat down with a coffee and reflected on what I hope happens as we move forward in education. Here are my top five:
- A return push to life skills: one thing I have enjoyed seeing more than anything is the sheer amount of life skills students have had the chance to learn. I have truly loved seeing so many kids learn to cook, clean, budget, shop and plan their time. I have always believed education in general overlooks a focus on essential life skills. Not in a classroom but in an authentic context. Students are so time poor, life skills are often last. I would love to see more of a push for life skills moving forward.
- Smaller classroom sizes: the reality is many people now understand how hard it is to manage large class sizes. Society is realising how hard it is to juggle a few different learners. With different needs, experiences, personalities and learning styles. Imagine that times 28. It is almost an impossible ask at times. Smaller class numbers means that things are not overlooked as much. Time is more of a luxury and students get quality time with educators.
- Appreciation for teachers: some of the comments, videos and memes circulating have truly given me a laugh. Some families have discovered that educators comments and concerns that they doubted may be valid after all. Society in general has realised that teaching is an art, holidays and breaks are needed and it is not as easy as just printing a worksheet. Truly knowing a student and how they learn best is harder than people think. Motivating students and helping them grow their confidence and mindset is also essential. Society seems to be finding a new found respect for teachers. People have realised just how hard they work, how trained they are and that their job isn’t just 9 to 3.
- Creativity to flourish: often without the constraints of time, creativity thrives. When you get lost in the moment and in flow creativity and imagination reign. You are so immersed in a project that you forget that you a learning. You innovate and create something new. You learn so many new skills that you surprise yourself. To me, this is one of the most important things I hope stays. I don’t know how but creativity is one of the things that I value the most.
- Less time constraints and pressure: this has forced so many people to stop. Slow down and pause. Good. Balance is vital for health and wellbeing. So many families have had more time together to reconnect. Or disconnect from unhealthy situations. Whatever it may be, pause gives time for reflection and our students work at such intense speeds. Being busy all the time is not life. It is certainly not a life I desire. Slowing down allows you to live with more intention. I truly hope that our student moving forward have more time for a break and can balance..
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