Brillion teachers adjust to virtual instructing

May 29, 2020

By David Nordby

The Brillion News

BRILLION – There is a consensus from teachers in the Brillion School District who spoke with The Brillion News that virtual teaching is not as fun as the in-person teaching they signed up for.

The district has been using Google Classroom as a tool to organize and deliver content to students.

From there things vary. Some teachers record lessons, meet in class daily live on Google Meet, and reach students through email or whatever method of communication is necessary. Lessons vary by grade level, subject and internet access.

High school science teacher Ryan Peterson has distributed lab videos through YouTube and used online animations and simulations.

“I think that everyone, teachers and students alike, would say that it is nice to be able to work when and where you want to. However, it takes discipline to be able to do that effectively,” Peterson says. “There are lots of adults who would struggle to study and learn under these conditions and we’re asking children to do it.”

Sara Krueger teaches high school global history, US history, and AP psychology, and organizes all of her assignments for the week in one document, something she says she has received positive feedback for.

“That way students know what is expected of them for the week right away, are able to work ahead if they would like and can find ways to effectively manage their time,” Krueger said.

Peterson says that now there is an inability to control the environment.

“A significant fraction of my students rely on school and their teachers to be the calm, predictable, structured and supportive place in their day,” Peterson says. “In our rooms, my colleagues and I make learning possible for a group of students who cannot do this on their own. There isn’t an app for that.”

Peterson says that students are missing out on in-person experiences.

“There’s no denying that my students have missed out on a lot of hands-on experience and a lot of the ‘fun’ memories of taking a science class. A video of the fireball you would have seen, felt, heard and smelled in class just isn’t the same,” Peterson said.

Peterson says that his chemistry classes have been the most adversely affected.

Please see the complete story with notes on mathematics, kindergarten, working hours changing for instructors, and if virtual learning could be possible to start the 2020-2021 school year in the May 28, 2020 edition of The Brillion News.