eSCAping Type 1

Despite no longer teaching, when Gov. Cuomo announced that NYS school buildings would remain closed for the rest of this academic year, it broke my heart. I can’t imagine just leaving my classroom one Friday and then, kind of out of nowhere, not returning. I had months of preparation to deal with my resignation last year, and it was still unbelievably difficult.

THEN I saw on Facebook that he wants to keep these buildings closed and increase remote teaching. NYS is working with the Gates Foundation to “reimagine” schools by increasing technology, and we all apparently know what that implies. Although I had already written a blog post on YouTube-based lesson suggestions to help remote teaching (which I’m still going to publish…), boy was I ready for a Vygotsky-driven rant instead!

But then I found the video of Cuomo’s press release. And it got me thinking – how many people actually watched it themselves before sharing an article or posting their own opinion? Because he never actually says that remote learning should replace in-person learning…

Now, he does say, “The old model of everybody goes and sits in a classroom and the teacher is in front of that classroom, and teaches that class, and you do that all across the city, all across the state, all these buildings, all these physical classrooms – Why? With all the technology you have?“ Which, yes, might imply more distance learning. But it might also suggest more flexible seating, or (Google) field trips, or hands-on kinetic learning, or remote guest speakers, or virtual learning choices…

In fact, he goes on to say, “…we’ve been exploring different alternatives with technology…” which, to me, sounds like the OPTIONS kids today need.

Remember how much kids HATE just “sitting and listening”? Remember how being in a desk for 40 minutes was absolute TORTURE for some of them? Remember hearing (or even saying) “School is like jail…” Remember this video?

I sure do. And I taught respectful kids, in a private school.

People have been calling for an education reform for YEARS. So why are we so against it now?

 

Cuomo reminds us of a number of NYS disasters, saying, “We built back better… We didn’t replace what was; we improved upon everything that we learned during that time.” I obviously could be wrong, but it sure sounds like he doesn’t want to “replace” our current education system, just “improve” it.

Don’t get me wrong – one of the most important pieces of education is the social aspect of it. Believe me, I was ready to write pages on the necessity of in-person teacher-student (and student-student, and teacher-teacher) relationships. And, of course, any education reform needs to involve actual educators, not just politicians and rich people – especially not those who advocated the evil standardized testing (I’m looking at you, Andrew, Bill, and Melinda).

I full-heartedly, 100% agree with the argument that all these Facebook Moms are making. I’m just not sure what they’re arguing against?

In plain text, during Cuomo’s press conference, it says that NYS is working with the Gates Foundation to “develop a blueprint to reimagine education.” He’s basically saying they’re thinking about developing a potential outline to consider some possibilities… That is the farthest thing from a set plan as possible, right?

So, again, what exactly are we protesting? A potential idea that wasn’t even expressed?

Please kindly correct me if I’m wrong – and based on the number of Facebook posts I saw, I feel like I must be. But I do think our education system needs to change. I do think it’s very outdated. I do think teachers need to be properly trained on available technology and then use it. And who better to work with than a software inventor who will give NYS the money and resources we need to make these improvements?

I do think our students deserve “better” schools when they return in the fall, and now is the opportune time to investigate these changes. (Cuomo’s words, from that same press release).

Basically, I know we’re all quarantined and bored, I just like to think people have better things to do than debate a fake argument. I’m sure there are more important, realistic things to post about. We might all get murdered by hornets, after all.