Moving From the Margins – Student Voices

 

Presented on August 13, 2020

This webinar elevates the voices and experiences of those who matter the most in schools—teachers and students. Each of the students on the panel selected online and blended programs and/or classes as part of their educational pathway. They share their experiences, highlight the benefits and advantages of digital education, and inspire hope into others who are moving into remote or hybrid-learning environments. These students serve as the experts that can help guide best practices and debunk fears as many schools shift from crisis schooling (this past spring) to effective remote instruction (this fall).

Question posed to all student panelists:

"How would you encourage teachers to maintain dialogue, engagement and interaction among their students in the online environment? What works well from your perspective?"

7 students, 7 different, equally interesting responses:

  • Using breakout rooms in the online meeting platform to allow for peer-to-peer collaboration

  • Asynchronous discussion posts centered around topics and themes

  • A passion-driven teacher that brings content to life by being playful, fun and humorous

  • New apps, tools and technologies to present information and connect kids

  • Teachers having one-on-one discussions in an online forum, especially when they are organic

  • Smaller, more focused discussion topics and chunking content

Student Panelist Quotes:

"The use of technology is already being accepted into the traditional classroom. Naturally, a classroom can then be digitized to aid the failing student, the rushed, the easily distracted, or in my case, the student left behind. If not for the ability to pursue high school that was made available to me, I would not have set my sights as high as they are."
-Eileen Gannon

"The development of technology defines our world. No matter what I study and work in the future, I have to be technologically proficient. Exposure to blended and online programs at this age has developed my fluency in technology and prepared me to live a successful life in a modern digital world. Blended and online courses are the future of education."
-Anna Maria Iaramboyykov

"Online and blended learning has a lot to offer, and the potential to make an incredible impact on our society. Education is the foundation of society. It is the means by which we better ourselves and our posterity. With online tools, education is becoming more effective and available to a wider audience."
-Zachary Lyman

MODERATOR

Satara Ehnes

Panelists

Jorgie Ingram
Warner, NH

Sahil Pontula
Apex, NC

Alaina Smith
Surprise, AZ

Eileen Gannon
Worland, WY

Anna Maria Iaramboykov
Bryn Mawr, PA

 
Lisa Mullis