2020 Year In Review

Spoiler Alert: It's Not All Bad! 

@LisaBerghoff/@MrKimDHS/@JoeTaylorDHS

December is a funny time for educators. To me, New Years Day is in August, when school starts. That's when I make my resolutions and set my intentions for the new school year. December just means we're closing out one semester and getting ready to start another. However, I do love all of the year in review lists. December is a wonderful time to reflect on what the calendar year has brought us (insert expletive of your choice here) and also to dream about what's to come. I took a look at my December posts from the past few years just to remember how this goes. I typically do a round up of the most used tools or the most viewed posts and then make some predictions for the future.  This post, like this year, looks a little different. Instead of just focusing on tools I am going to highlight the capabilities that we have embraced during this crazy time. I hope that when you read this you will choose to  appreciate all of your accomplishments. There has been more growth and learning from our district staff than in any of the 25 years I have seen before. I also hope you will look at this list and perhaps think "Oh, right! Maybe I will  try that next semester."

Before we get to my list, every year Google puts out a short video that is the Year In Search. They do a really beautiful job of putting together the most searched items and videos.  Take a look at this year's Year In Search by Google. I'm thinking this could spark some interesting discussions with students. 

Also, New York Times has their 2020 In Photos. This is another great potential classroom resource.

And now it's time for my list. I usually look over the archives to see what the FTT posts focused on throughout the year. This year I am instead going to share the top 5 capabilities that made the grade for 2020.  I am hopeful that even in a post-covid learning environment, we will continue to take advantage of these capabilities as they benefit students, even when we are learning in person. Which will happen again someday, I promise. 

Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Screencasting for Instruction

We got a premium license for Screencastify this year and wow are we putting that little extension to work! We have a new understanding about using video as a learning tool. We know that for many students, the ability to re-watch, pause, and watch when the time is right for them is so important. We are also using recordings of Zoom or Google Meet calls and recording videos within Schoology.

2. Using Our LMS. For Real.

We really have been putting Schoology through its paces in these last 9 months. Technology is great, and needed, but at the end of the day the machine is only as good as what we tell it to do. We have been learning best practices for how to organize our materials in ways that makes it easy for students to find and access what they need. The shift from "what will make my life easier" to "what is best for my students" has led us to make decisions that are making big differences for students. When our materials are organized in a clear way that is well communicated, our students are less frustrated and more likely to engage with the materials.  Using Schoology as a true hub for digital learning has helped so many of our students who struggle even when we are in the building. 

3. Communication Is Key

Schoology updates, Remind texts, Google Chat messages, Zoom and Google Meet in-meeting chats, email, and Google groups are all ways we are using to communicate with students, parents, and each other. Sometimes it works better than others and we are constantly searching for the best way to get our messages across. We are learning that taking a multi-prong approach to communicating gets better results than just using one channel or only communicating verbally. We have also learned about the power of visuals when we are communicating and Canva and Google drawings are the most-loved tools for creating those images. 

4. Novelty Wins

We're tired. Students are tired. We are looking at screens way longer than we should and we are typing millions of documents. However, utilizing tools like Peardeck, Padlet, Edpuzzle, and Flippity can keep our students interested and engaged. Been there done that? Take another look. Teachers everywhere are using these tools in so many different ways. We are leveling up our engagement plans to keep students interested and on their toes. 

5. The Little Things Matter- Tips and Tricks That We Love

Our brains are so interesting. I could spend all day at a conference, learn a hundred new things, take notes on 50 of them, share 10 with my colleagues, but only use 2. Since we've been glued to our computers for so many months, we have all embraced those little tips and tricks that make us more efficient. One of my most favorite things is when I get an email from a staff member sharing a new trick that they learned. I am always learning and it's been so much fun to have my nerdy enthusiasm get matched when sharing things like Chrome tab groups, scheduling messages in gmail, setting up filters in gmail, using Google keep within Google calendar, using the assign feature in Google docs comments and more. 

I could go on but I won't. We will not be sad to say goodbye to 2020. However, I am hopeful that we can take all that we have learned and use it moving forward. I am also hopeful that we can celebrate how much progress we have made and continue to not settle for just doing things the way we've always done them. I am generally an optimist and an overall positive person. There have been times this year that have been beyond challenging but there have also been glimmers of excitement and pride when we have figured things out together.

And now, let's bring on 2021!