The New Normal... Post COVID

Here in Egypt, much like the rest of the world, we're entering week 12 of quarantine. We've pretty much gotten used to staying home. However, in spite of a consistent rise in COVID cases here, things are gradually going to be opening up within a few weeks. Now, that doesn't mean things will go back to normal.

It's clear that things aren't ever really going to go back "normal" until there's a vaccine. Although according to the World Health Organization, more than 100 vaccines are in various stages of development around the world, it could take between 12-18 months for one to be read for the public. This means that we are going to have to coexist with the virus for the foreseeable future. 

Staying at home as much as possible is your best bet, but at times, going out is necessary. Masks are now mandatory in Egypt. As uncomfortable as they are, they're a must.  They're part of the new normal. Wearing a mask shows respect and protects you and those around you. Who knows how many asymptomatic carriers are roaming around the grocery store or your workplace? It could be you.

In Egypt, when we meet a friend or relative, we always greet each other with a kiss on each cheek. Kissing hello is a habit we have to break in this strange new world. Not even a handshake is ok anymore and you can forget about a hug. A hand on the chest with hearty salam from 6 feet away will have to suffice. 

I don't see open buffets or pot lucks being a thing again for a long time. It's not at all a good idea to have communal food at this moment in time. Shared serving utensils? Just no. Gatherings all together aren't wise right now but maybe outdoors, while keeping a safe distance? (Really, I'm asking.)

Hand cream, soap, and immune-boosting product sales are on the rise since the start of the pandemic. Obviously, handwashing is at an all-time high, as is using sanitizers and alcohol sprays. This is a great habit to keep no matter what, but it's very drying. Manufacturers are coming up with better, less drying formulas for soaps and sanitizing gels to keep up with consumer demands.

Before COVID invaded our world, most people's daily routine consisted of going into their places of work every day. Lockdown orders have forced employers to allow many people to work remotely. Now that we've seen that it can be done, it will encourage more companies to consider it long term. 

The toll this virus has taken on all of us is unprecedented, but it's not nearly as severe as the toll it's taken on healthcare workers.  The role of doctors, nurses, orderlies, and other essential workers in and out of the medical field has been nothing short of martyrdom. This unfortunately will be the case until there's a vaccine. Until then, following precautions and regulations is what we can do in order to minimize the cases. 

That's really the crux of it all. We need to make the new normal this: following government orders, taking every precaution, and sitting tight until we can relax things and not before. 

. 

Online Teaching Versus The Classroom

In light of the recent pandemic, teachers and students worldwide have been forced to adopt online learning. Practically overnight, educators everywhere have had to rethink everything. Teaching kids full time, online from home was a brand new challenge, and we rose to it.

Personally, our department has been using a learning management system, online resources, and online quizzes for some time already, in school. Doing so from home has proven to be entirely different.

It may surprise you that teaching online is harder than teaching at school. It's all the grueling work without the reward of seeing a kid light up when they finally understand something. It requires more planning and preparation than teaching in a classroom does. Working as a teacher online feels like you're on call 24/7. Messages from students and parents flood your notifications at all hours of the day.  Many will say that one must set office hours and stick to them in order to remain sane... but we're teachers! Since when did our workday end at 3pm?

The differences between online teaching and a traditional classroom are plenty. The connection you get with students in person is very difficult to replicate over a Zoom meeting. We as teachers are accustomed to having personal interactions with our students, as are they. This interaction creates a bond that's renewed daily and so much of that is lost over the internet. Kids are shy on camera. Also, getting a point across is so much easier in person. Another point is that one on one attention is sorely lacking with the time constraints of online lessons. In the traditional classroom setting, students who need extra help or have late/missing work can easily stay in class during an elective lesson to get that extra explanation or finish work they missed. This is nearly impossible with online learning. Some students, even with constant reminders, and nagging messages, will still fall behind on their work.

 Furthermore, with digital school, teachers have no way of knowing for sure if the child is doing their work for themselves. It could be a parent or an older sibling doing the assignments. This completely defeats the purpose of giving assignments and there's really no way to prove it besides the fact that the student who was getting Ds is suddenly making As. Parents are meant to guide their children and ensure that their kids are doing their work daily. They aren't doing them any favors by solving their assignments for them. It also creates a false sense of security that will be met with a huge wake-up call when they are ill-prepared the following year.

Online school is not without benefits, however. I've found that some students who are easily distracted in a classroom setting, thrive when working from home, on their own, where there aren't distractions from classmates. Online schooling has the benefit of allowing students to have a bit of flexibility in their day. While Zoom lessons may be scheduled at certain times, students can do their daily assignments at their own pace. This also teaches kids self-discipline and time management. While most students were already familiar with our LMS and how to navigate it, there were some who rarely logged on and were forced to learn how to use it now. This will be a world of help in the future.

None of us know how long this will last and with the end of the school year in sight, we can breathe a sigh of relief knowing we've neared the finish line. I honestly can't imagine starting a new school year online and being introduced to new students over Zoom. I'm hoping and praying that our corner of the world will be safe enough to return to the classroom again come September. All things considered, this experience has given us perspective. It's taught us to appreciate the little things. Getting a high five from a student in the hall, or staff room commiserations from a colleague over coffee, these are things we won't soon take for granted again.

Are you a teacher working online, or a parent of a student currently learning online? What are your thoughts on the subject? Comment below.