Professor Explains How Classroom Rules for Kids During Natural Disasters are Changing

Just because your students can’t make it to class doesn’t mean they can’t continue learning.

H1N1 virus, Gulf Coast hurricanes, earthquakes, winter blizzards, West Coast fires, tsunamis, and SARs are just some of the unpredictable events that have disrupted learning around the nation.

No one knows when a natural disaster or a disease outbreak will happen. Curt Bonk, Ph.D, professor at Indiana University, suggests educators use blended learning to stay in contact with students during a crisis.

“You cannot plan for an unexpected event, but you can be prepared,” says Bonk. “The only thing we can do is to prepare for the worst and help our students learn with the best options we can find.”

Blended learning is an approach to education that combines the best of face-to-face classroom instruction with the best of the Web. With blended learning, you’ll be prepared for the times when illness or nature keeps your students at home, so your teaching doesn’t have to come to a halt. This cooperative learning plan requires technology and the educator working together.

In a 75-minute online seminar Bonk presented for Inside the School he explained a sample plan of blended learning options for teachers.

Take-home course packets, online material, conference calls, and internet-based webinar classes are just a few of the possible classroom routines procedures possible. Crisis and inclement weather classroom rules for kids usually involves just not coming in.

“Ten years-ago a crisis could have closed a school for weeks,” Bonk said. “But by being prepared and having options, school doors never close.”

Some of the routines in classrooms from blended learning are increased learning (higher test scores), more time for students to reflect, more effective interaction, lower costs, flexible time and increased student participation, even from introverted students.

“Online discussions from the comfort of their own computer gives shy students a chance to take part in classroom discussions without feeling uncomfortable,” Bonk said.

This technology also gives students the opportunity to be connected with the whole world and have up-to-the-minute learning experiences. A computer lesson plan can now involve educators all over the planet.

“Students are no longer trapped in a single room to learn. They can witness a live rocket launch from NASA, explore museum exhibits and even learn Italian from someone in Italy. The possibilities are really endless,” Bonk said.

Blended learning isn’t without its challenges. Students’ expectations for classroom technology use can rise and they can become overwhelmed by all the choices.

“People in the 1950s and 1960s were overwhelmed by new technology. We will be in the future, too,” Bonk said. We will always be presented with new technology. It’s how we use it as an opportunity to teach that educators will need to focus on.”