#RuralEdChat is a chat that focuses on the needs of the rural educator. This chat has been revised by Tammy Neil (@MathNeil), John Martin (@edventures) and Natalee Stotz (@nataleestotz).
As always, let's get started with introductions! I'm Matt, a volunteer teacher in WA state, teaching a distance learning course in Computer Science. #RuralEdChat
Also as always, we'll be doing the Q1, Q2, etc format for questions, so if you missed one, you can search for that to help track it down. Q1 coming up in a minute! #RuralEdChat
I'm Chyann and I'm from SW Ohio! ☺️ I am currently a student at Wilmington College majoring in Agricultural Education. #RuralEdChat (I've watched for months but I decided to jump in tonight!)
As always, let's get started with introductions! I'm Matt, a volunteer teacher in WA state, teaching a distance learning course in Computer Science. #RuralEdChat
#ruraledchat Answer to the first question: I think I’d like to teach a course in moral code. I know this is unrealistic but we’re dreaming tonight, right?! 😄 I feel that our young generations need so much guidance in this area!
Hey Katherine! Looks like you kicked up the questions from last week - I'm always down to talk dream courses, so feel free to respond to those if you're drawn! If you're looking for the current chat, Q1 is just posted, about physical space decisions in your school. #RuralEdChat
And, I don't think it's so unrealistic! Especially in certain fields - there's a growing effort around morals and ethics in Computer Science, and with technology in general. #EthicalCs has a regular chat. #RuralEdChat
#ruraledchat Answer2. My course is very different in the USA! Students will be taught manners, discipline, understanding, empathy, social etiquette, ethics, values and more!
In reply to
@937Nathan, @18ckendel, @WilmingtonColl
A1: for my school, typically, the teachers have some say over space, though most simply keep the same classroom (which has so many pros!). However, we're starting to build a new HS, and our current building is already being re-vamped to be the junior high next. #RuralEdChat
So, even as a CS course, our room only got it's computers put back in a few days before the start of the year. All the decorations had to come down, so it's starting pretty sterile. And we can't do much that won't be undone. #RuralEdChat
From my high school experience, it seemed as if teachers had say over what happened. One teacher created her own flexible seating, one has handprints throughout the classroom, and another added a more sophisticated atmosphere with additional furniture.
#RuralEdChat ☺️
Q2: mostly that it's space limited! Our intro course is often capped due to not having enough computers, and for our advanced course, we don't have dedicated space to set up extra equipment. #RuralEdChat
Also, as a distance learning class, even a few years in and with mroe tech each time, we have troubles with being able to hear students when they talk. Passing around a microphone slows things down and is an extra barrier for the shy. #RuralEdChat
It's great when teachers have that kind of say over their rooms! Some schools and teachers move a lot for each class and have to share spaces too much to own a room. I remember my high own high school language classes were like that. #RuralEdChat
Oh geez, heating. One of my toughest classes was in a room adjacent to construction. 1st period, 1/3rd of the lights were out, and it was always freezing, so you bundled up all cozy. How there weren't more napping students is still a mystery. #RuralEdChat
A3: ideally, lots of microphones at each student's desk, or at least more spread out through the room. This year, since it's double-booked and I have only 3 students, they're all on headsets, which they don't like at all. So, more ability to be two classrooms! #RuralEdChat
A3: also, I'd love for each student to have more workspace beside their computers - I'm trying some new physical computer projects, and it barely fits on! #RuralEdChat
It's not that, it's that at times I think the space is overwhelming to children and can be difficult for one adult to supervise. Probably my style / leadership rather than them? #RuralEdChat
I just switched gears from working with primarily outdoor learning spaces this summer to back inside in a public library. Tomorrow is my first day seeing how our caregiver and child learning space will be used. #RuralEdChat
A3 My ideal learning space would be some idealized mix of forest, trail, prairie...and then a library outiftted with comfortable seats and spaces to plug in as needed. I'm truly betwixt and between old and new this evening. #RuralEdChat
We have headsets with mics that they can use, but many of the microphones don't work, and the students HATE wearing them. One extra mic worked, but since we run on a PC, and not a full sound system, we can only attach so many devices. #RuralEdChat
Mine would have this, a makerspace, art room, music, gym, attached to the library. rolling shelves, podcasting / recording studio, TV studio, robotics, more. #RuralEdChat
Yes! Podcasting! I want to get my students to do more storytelling, but a dedicated space like that just doesn't exist! Figuring out how to set it up elsewhere #RuralEdChat
Mine would have this, a makerspace, art room, music, gym, attached to the library. rolling shelves, podcasting / recording studio, TV studio, robotics, more. #RuralEdChat
They use their own headphones when they need headphones only, but we often find that having each student try to set up their computer for a different audio device for input and output is very hit or miss. In a class of 10 or 20+, all the errors kill too much time. #RuralEdChat
Of course. The library is the heart of the school.
Those rooms would be attached to the library. Rather than separate wings. Glass walls between maker / art / library - let Ss move between them for research purposes. #RuralEdChat
It's funny how location drives emotion for certain rooms, especially if the building is large enough to have different wings. "I don't go the the library, it's way down the other side of the building, totally isolated from my day" #RuralEdChat
I'm kind of an outlier in my occupation. I want every class in the library doing research, experimenting, creating. The tech is there to integrate. Still need some quiet but not 100%. #ruraledchat
My philosophy is that space should be a second / third teacher. Shouldn't be overwhelming and the charts need to be usable at point in time rather than months in advance. #RuralEdChat
A4 The physical space of a learning environment is an additional teacher. Space has a huge impact on how learners gather or isolate, how they experience invitations to learn, how they are honored as individuals and how they build community. #ruraledchat
One of my favorite is a Levels of Understanding chart. Even remotely, it's nice to refer to and ask students where they are on that scale. Helps reinforce that "don't understand" and "can understand and teach a friend" are two equal points on a connected path #RuralEdChat
"how they are honored as individuals" = quote of the night. This is so true of ALL spaces, and so especially important when we want our students to come in and be open and vulnerable to learn. #RuralEdChat
A4 The physical space of a learning environment is an additional teacher. Space has a huge impact on how learners gather or isolate, how they experience invitations to learn, how they are honored as individuals and how they build community. #ruraledchat
Going into Ag Education, I think my learning space would need to reach beyond classroom walls. Not being from an Ag background has opened my eyes beyond common stereotypes... I came to college and get to work on an Academic Farm weekly with hands on labs. #RuralEdChat ☺️
Aww, thanks! I think our spaces are so vital and often we have to pull them together from whatever resources we have. The way that we humanize them and humanize within them is everything. :) #RuralEdChat
Hmmm... I haven't done it, but I wonder how well it would work to make a whole activity out of it. Have students connect more deeply with the end goals of the course by designing/changing the room to achieve them. #RuralEdChat
