Reflecting and Repeating
For this blog post, I’m writing about Action Steps #6 and #7 together because they are connected.
Since reading my last blog post, I’m sure you are wondering what happened with our test of my son’s desk area. We tested it out for 8 school days and the data results were as follows:
He completed all of his class assignments (8 of them).
He participated in all his Zoom sessions (5 of them).
He completed most of his specials (music, art, etc) assignments (4 out of 5).
He paid attention and responded when needed in Zoom sessions (observed).
When we spoke about the desk, he said he liked it, especially the lights in the desk area and the charging station for his device. He said the puzzles and games stored on the shelves above him were a bit distracting.
For us, reflecting on the data - both quantitative and qualitative - we decided together that the desk area was working well for him. The only needed change is to move or cover the distracting things stored on the shelves above him.
TRY IT:
Now it is your turn to analyze the data from whatever you are testing with your child(ren). When you and your child(ren) have all the data, use these questions to guide your analysis:
What do you notice about the data? What does the data tell us?
Did this solution work to solve the challenge?
If your solution was a success, congratulations! Now you can tackle a new challenge and repeat as many of the Action Steps as needed.
If your solution was not a success, congratulations! You learned something from the test about what doesn’t work. You can go back to your brainstormed list of solutions and pick a new one to test. Or, you may want to take what you learned from this test and brainstorm a new list of ideas. Then you can repeat the needed Action Steps.
Importantly, any solutions you discover work well for your child(ren) may not last forever. They may work for a week or a month, and then you need to find a new solution. That is okay. Think of every solution, short-term or long-term, as a success because everything is so uncertain right now. And, when you do find a solution to a learning challenge, share what you and your child(ren) discovered with teachers. Caregivers and teachers are partners in teaching more than you all have ever been. Sharing information and discoveries may not only help your child(ren), but other children in the class, grade, or school as teachers share what they are hearing from parents. Educating child(ren) takes a community, and in a pandemic, that is even more true.
Definitely reach out to me through my Contact page on my website if you want additional personalized guidance about supporting your child(ren)’s remote learning or homeschooling.
Next up in my blog will be posts focused on current challenges that parents and caregivers are sharing with me.
