This week’s weather proved to be daunting and unpredictable. For those of us who work remotely, we were able to continue with our normal routines. For those who do not, however, childcare can present a number of challenges, especially when safety is a concern.
Unpredictable weather can also be a disruptive force in children’s education. Gone are the days when most children were homeschooled. Although some parents still have to go into the office, a large number of workers now work remotely.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students between the ages of 5 and 18 attend school an average of 180.3 days per year. In some people’s opinion, American students are not learning enough, and there are already too many vacations and holidays.
The Good News…
We have arrived at the dawn of a new technological era. In this era, no one is confined to the classroom—not teachers, and especially not students. Think about it: children are often far more comfortable with technology than we give them credit for. They understand how to use the latest tools and devices. If you ask me, many of them are practically technology gurus right from the crib.
As parents, we should be requesting that our students take advantage of this new technological landscape. Education is critical to a child’s success. There are so many aspects to this new paradigm: blackboards, conference lines, online portfolios, mobility, and MOOCs. There is no reason our students should not be taking advantage of these new learning formats.
I could keep rambling on and on, but I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.
—Hannah A. Collier