Welcome, everyone! I’m Jamie Nunez, a regional manager at Common Sense. Today, we’re joined by two incredible guests from San Francisco: Miss Lauren Marques and Mr. Ed Marquez. Over the next 20 minutes, we’ll delve into the challenges and successes of distance learning, particularly focusing on how we can make it more engaging for students in the future using tools like social media.
Lauren is a senior at Stanford University, majoring in Science, Technology, and Society, and she’s just weeks away from graduating. Ed, on the other hand, has nearly 29 years of experience teaching math, primarily at the high school level. Let’s hear from them about their experiences and insights.
Ed shares that he was initially hesitant about using social media but has learned a lot from his daughter and younger colleagues. Now, he uses platforms like TikTok and YouTube to create engaging content for his students. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and using technology to foster engagement.
Lauren, as a student, mentions that while she’s been advised not to friend teachers on social media, she finds it powerful to share personal experiences, like a dance video for her grandmothers, in the classroom. This approach helps bring a personal touch to learning.
Ed believes in leading with empathy and showing his human side. He uses Google Classroom to check in with students and share his own experiences, which helps them feel connected. He also encourages student interaction through breakout rooms.
Lauren advises educators to be genuine and incorporate students’ histories and cultures into their lessons. Using visuals and sharing personal stories can create a more inclusive environment.
Looking to the future, Ed suggests that educators focus on mastering a few key tools and personalizing interactions to connect with students. Sharing a bit of personal life can make a big difference.
Lauren agrees and adds that using platforms like Instagram to share class updates or engaging visuals can keep students interested and involved.
In a quick speed round, Ed shares that he ends his classes with a positive thought of the day and encourages students to help others. Lauren mentions that if she has a question for her teacher, she would raise her hand and ask for clarification directly.
Thank you, Ed and Lauren, for your valuable insights! This session has been a fantastic exploration of how to enhance distance learning through meaningful engagement.
Develop a plan for using social media to enhance student engagement in an online course. Consider platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube. Outline the types of content you would create, how often you would post, and how you would measure engagement. Share your plan with classmates for feedback.
Participate in a role-playing exercise where you take on the role of either a student or an educator. Practice leading with empathy by addressing common challenges faced in online learning environments. Reflect on how empathy can improve engagement and share your insights with the group.
Create an interactive activity that can be conducted in virtual breakout rooms. Focus on fostering student interaction and collaboration. Present your activity to the class and discuss how it can be used to enhance engagement in online learning.
Engage in a workshop where you share a personal story that relates to a course topic. Use visuals or multimedia elements to enhance your storytelling. Discuss how personal stories can create a more inclusive and engaging learning environment.
Create a series of positive thoughts or motivational messages that can be shared at the end of each online class session. Discuss how these messages can impact student morale and engagement. Share your thoughts with the class and gather feedback.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hey everyone, how’s it going? This is Jamie Nunez, a regional manager here at Common Sense. Today, we have some amazing guests all the way from San Francisco: Miss Lauren Marques and Mr. Ed Marquez. Before I introduce you both, I want to give a snapshot of what we’ll be discussing over the next 20 minutes.
As we approach the end of the school year, we’ve experienced the challenges of distance learning. Today, we’ll take a step back to reflect on our experiences as educators and the impact we’ve had in connecting with our students. Specifically, we’ll explore how we can transform distance learning into a more engaging experience for the future, utilizing tools like social media.
Lauren and Ed, thank you both for joining us today. You both look fantastic! How are you feeling this morning?
Lauren: I’m doing well, but I have an honors thesis due soon, so that’s on my mind.
Ed: I’m doing okay, but I won’t finish college until June.
Great! Now, let me introduce you both. Ed has nearly 29 years of experience teaching math, primarily at the high school level. And Lauren is a senior at Stanford University, majoring in Science, Technology, and Society. She’s just weeks away from graduating!
Let’s dive into our discussion about social media and the tools you’re using to engage with students and teachers. Ed, can you share how you connect with your students using social media or other tools?
Ed: I have to admit, I was initially hesitant about social media, but I’ve learned a lot from my daughter and younger teachers. I now use platforms like TikTok and YouTube to create engaging content for my students. It’s all about building relationships and using technology to foster engagement.
Lauren, as a student, what unique ways do you connect with your teachers? Are there any challenges or successes you’ve experienced with social media?
Lauren: I’ve been taught not to friend teachers on social media, which can be a challenge. However, I feel comfortable sharing videos I’ve created, like a dance video for my grandmothers. It’s powerful to bring personal experiences into the classroom.
Ed, what strategies do you use to motivate students to engage in your classes, especially during distance learning?
Ed: I believe in leading with empathy and showing my human side. I use Google Classroom to check in with students and share my own experiences, which helps them feel connected. I also encourage them to interact with each other in breakout rooms.
Lauren, what advice would you give to educators on how to connect authentically with their students?
Lauren: It’s important for teachers to be genuine and to incorporate students’ histories and cultures into their lessons. Using visuals and sharing personal stories can help create a more inclusive environment.
As we look to the future, what are some practical ways educators can use social media to enhance learning?
Ed: I think educators should focus on a few key tools and get comfortable with them. Personalizing interactions and sharing a bit of your life can make a big difference in connecting with students.
Lauren: I agree! Using platforms like Instagram to share class updates or engaging visuals can keep students interested and involved.
Thank you both for sharing your insights! Let’s wrap up with a quick speed round.
Ed, in five seconds or less, how do you end your class?
Ed: I share a positive thought of the day and encourage students to help others.
Lauren, if you have a question for your teacher, how would you ask it?
Lauren: I would raise my hand and say, “Hi, I have a question. Can you explain that?”
Thank you both for your contributions today! This has been a fantastic session on distance learning.
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Feel free to let me know if you need any further modifications!
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. – University education provides students with the critical thinking skills necessary for their future careers.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – The integration of technology in the classroom has transformed the way students learn and interact with educational content.
Engagement – The act of being involved or participating in something. – Student engagement in online courses can be enhanced through interactive discussions and multimedia content.
Social Media – Websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. – Many universities use social media platforms to connect with students and share important updates.
Distance Learning – A method of studying where lectures are broadcast or classes are conducted by correspondence or over the Internet, without the student’s needing to attend a school or college. – Distance learning has become increasingly popular, allowing students to access education from anywhere in the world.
Students – Individuals who are studying at a school or college. – University students often form study groups to enhance their understanding of complex subjects.
Classroom – A room, typically in a school or college, where classes are held. – The modern classroom is equipped with digital tools that facilitate interactive learning experiences.
Visuals – Pictures, diagrams, or other visual elements used to illustrate or accompany educational content. – Incorporating visuals in presentations can help students better understand and retain information.
Interaction – The action or influence of people, groups, or things on one another. – Interactive learning environments encourage student interaction and collaboration, leading to deeper understanding.
Empathy – The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. – Developing empathy is essential for students in fields like social work and psychology, where understanding others is crucial.
