While last month’s post focused on ideas for in-school instruction with physical distancing, this one provides suggestions to support remote or hybrid learning.
Remote (or Online) Learning
Facing the possibility of a stretch of remote instruction? It’s easy to keep kids walking, listening, and learning with The Walking Classroom. You can use WalkKits, The Walking Classroom’s available free podcasts, or The Walking Classroom’s mobile app.
To support student learning, existing program adopters may want to make use of The Walking Classroom’s (free!) additional podcast resources. These can help extend the lesson, encourage independent learning, or differentiate instruction. You can even pass relevant links along to your students. Or, have them take a comprehension quiz electronically — in Google Classroom!
If you have a class set of your own, assign a device to each student to take home, then assign podcasts as you typically would. Sharing a class set? Make use of The Walking Classroom’s available free podcasts, or The Walking Classroom’s mobile app.
Need some ideas? Existing adopters have shared some possible applications of The Walking Classroom for remote learning!
This past year was such a struggle, yet having access to the Walking Classroom podcasts through an app was very helpful. My students really enjoyed the opportunity to benefit from these lessons from the comfort of their homes.
– Ellen Smith, Illinois
During Covid-19, I sent the WalkKits home with my students and we used Google Meets to conduct our discussions before and after the kids took their walks. We didn’t all walk at the same time; the kids had a day or two to get their walks in. Though in person learning is the best, it was a good way to continue a structured activity we were used to before the shutdown.
– Mary Hanson, Wisconsin
The Walking Classroom was the perfect solution for getting my students up and moving, away from their computers during distance learning! I coordinated the podcasts with what we were learning in our curriculum. Students walked and listened during the asynchronous time.
– Kathie Yonemura, California
Hybrid Learning
Using The Walking Classroom during the 2020-2021 school year has been difficult, but having the program definitely helped. I ended up checking out units to students who were at home to use so that when the small group of in-person students were participating, the remote students could as well.
– Stephanie Marquez, Georgia
Blending remote (or online) learning with in-school instruction, hybrid learning can be used for a flipped classroom approach. In this approach, what is normally done in class is completed at home, and what is normally completed as homework is done during class time.
The Walking Classroom easily lends itself well to such an approach. Rather than walking together as a class, assign a podcast from among the available free podcasts or The Walking Classroom’s mobile app. Then, have your students walk, listen, and learn independently.
Afterward, students can engage in the follow-up discussion together online or once you’re back in the classroom. Or, students can continue the lesson independently with an assigned extension activity which they share at a later date.
If you’re an existing program adopter, the additional (free!) podcast resources can come in handy here too! You can share links for printables or activities you’d like your students to complete . . . or even have them go on a virtual field trip.
When we finally returned to hybrid, more than half of my class came back to school in-person (19 kids!). Being able to utilize The Walking Classroom was a blessing! We walked the perimeter of the playground, socially distanced. The kids were so engaged! They didn’t have to listen to me, they didn’t have to worry about technical glitches, and they didn’t have to look at a screen. They were so happy to be outside, getting exercise and fresh air with their peers. It was the best part of the day!
– Susie Hoard, California
Supporting Physical, Mental, and Social Emotional Health Too
With COVID-19 affecting schools, our afterschool program will use The Walking Classroom to aid in filling the educational gap.
– Earlean Rivers, North Carolina
In addition to academic priorities, in times like these, it is especially important to find ways to support students’ physical, mental, and social-emotional health. It is The Walking Classroom’s mission to do just that, so we are here to help you in your efforts. For more ideas on how The Walking Classroom can support you amid all the changes, check out our recorded webinar, Using the Walking Classroom in Hybrid and Remote Learning Environments.
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