Teachers ramp up for remote learning

Beginning Monday, households across the state will transform into classrooms as moms, dads, grandparents and siblings take on the role of teacher.

Gov. Steve Bullock on Tuesday extended the closure of all public schools in Montana through at least April 10 as part of a national effort to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Thankfully, local school districts have been prepping for this scenario for the last two weeks.

Teachers from kindergarten through grade 12 are ready to go “live” Monday morning with digital lesson plans that can be delivered to students remotely via the internet. Many teachers will be working from home themselves, ready to support students through video chats, email and phone calls.

Of course, not everyone in our rural corner of the nation has access to appropriate technology, such as iPads or laptops, or even high-speed internet. But school districts and internet providers across the region have found ways to make it happen.

Many schools, like Flathead and Glacier high schools, are allowing students without computer access to check out Chromebook laptops at no cost. Meanwhile in Lake County, Access Montana, Blackfoot Telecommunications and Spectrum have all offered discounts, manpower and other assistance in the effort to connect rural homes to the web for learning purposes. It’s remarkable how these public-private partnerships emerged, seemingly overnight, in the face of this crisis and in the name of education.

There’s no doubt that there will be a few snags and stumbles over the next few weeks — for students, teachers, and parents and guardians alike. Remote lesson plans may not translate as clearly as in the classroom, and it’s likely that less digital-savvy households will struggle to stay connected when technology goes haywire. Not to mention the challenge of creating a quiet, focused, classroom-like atmosphere within a bustling home with myriad distractions.

It’s going to take patience and persistence, from all parties. But as the days go by, the easier and more comfortable it will get.

Folks across the nation have been reminding each other that “we’re all in this together.” That sentiment will ring especially true Monday morning as families and teachers embark on this remote learning endeavor, together.