Monthly Archives: March 2020

Google Hangouts

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For those teachers looking to stay in contact with students during the school closures, Google Hangouts offers a way to video conference with students and parents. Instructors can set up specific times to offer mini-lessons or offer as a way to coach students from afar. Instructors can set up a static meeting link and phone number for students to log in or call in. Students can watch as the instructor shares her screen and can annotate over the desktop. The lesson can be recorded and uploaded for students who could not log in. It’s a very basic platform and the free account is often enough for a small group. For larger classes, the instructor could offer different times so that students have opportunities to share and feel heard. The chatting feature allows students to text their responses and share links.

I have used this for staff meetings and we plan on utilizing it with our adult education students in this school closure to offer coaching and support. One drawback would be that those who call in can see anything on the screen and students have to download the app to be able to fully use it. They also have to accept the invite for it to appear in their Google calendar. I’m not sure how it would present in an address with a different email provider. Most Google products work best when part of the suite. If you are interested in how to set up a Google hangouts meeting see this link: https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9300131?hl=en

U.S. Educational systems response to COVID 19

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Many school systems have been impacted by state and federal guidelines to close schools in areas heavily affected by cases of COVID 19 (coronavirus). In the article, “The Impact of Coronavirus on the Educational System,” the author examines the logic behind such school closures. One of the factors is the idea that children may pose as vectors by which the virus can spread to the adults they come in contact with. They may present with mild symptoms and by the nature of children to get into each other’s spaces and share items, could pose a risk to their families and communities. Such closures have led to schools finding ways to move traditional face-to-face classes into an online environment. Such a massive move of so many students comes with its own challenges and can overlook other services that traditional classes served. For example, school lunches may be the only meals of many students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Schools are reaching out and finding ways for families to pick up meals during the closures but thought must be given to travel. If transit and other public systems stop operation, some students may be cut off from accessing those meals. Another service students miss out on during school closures are the wraparound behavioral services that many schools provide. How are families to access these type of services that could help students struggling with anxiety during this stressful period in the country?

I found that many of these affect not only children in the school system but their parents as well. If the parent is seeking higher education or working on getting their high school equivalency diploma, such a disruption in education and services for their children could create additional barriers for them and their goals. As an adult basic education instructor, I see students worried about their children and their education and often prioritize it over their own. Online educational resources can help their kids to access educational materials but whether the child’s parent can help them with it is another issue itself. The digital divide disproportionately affects those who are in low-income households with caregivers who lack a high school diploma. Will this massive move to providing online education be as effective as its intention? Will those who struggle be able to access support via online video conferencing apps such as Zoom or Google Hangouts? We shall evaluate and look back to lessons learned from this shift in education. I hope that the innovations help to revitalize our educational systems and find new ways to connect those at disadvantages.

Lack of Digital Skills in Adult Education

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So many of the adult students I work with share the same lack of digital skills that is pervasive throughout the country. So many American adults are seeking jobs and want to advance but lack basic digital skills necessary to train in and obtain those jobs. The article “Millions of US workers have ‘limited or no digital skills‘” highlights how serious of an issue this has become. Low level jobs such as food prep workers at KFC are using virtual reality googles to train workers on food safety. Imagine how difficult this is for adults who lack basic digital skills and struggle using devices such as smart phones. Although a student may be able to text or send pics using a phone, it doesn’t mean they can access or execute more complicated tasks with the phone. I even saw this with young adults aged 16-17 who are digital “natives” who could use various social media platforms but struggled with sending an email or attachment. The article looked at two major employment sectors, manufacturing and the health industry and the statistics are alarming. One-third of each industry lacked key digital skills to do their jobs (manufacturing–5.6 million and health–6.7 million workers). Many of those lacking key digital skills are in management or supervisory roles. How can they keep pace with technological advancements when lacking core skills themselves? Its more than just a low-leveled worker problem and is something that major employers are trying to address. However, its something that needs more traction and solutions beyond federal support.

AdvancedNet Labs WorkReady Mobile App

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My educational nonprofit was able to get the chance to use the WorkReady Mobile app developed by AdvancedNet labs. Students have the ability to join classes for communication with their instructors, access school calendars, search job boards, access resources, and set educational and/or career goals. The app allows students to utilize technology and improve soft-skills that will serve them well in college or career. Students will soon have the ability to check-in/check-out to track their attendance and track their assessments. The app is downloaded by students in orientation and reviewed by instructors in-class to make sure students are using the app’s many features. Students report they enjoy the ability to keep up-to-date on resources and events that we offer that they may have otherwise missed. Recently, we have used the app to advertise and sign up our current adult education students who were interested in getting their BLS CPR credential. We also used the app to advertise about a job fair offered through the local American Job Center. I find that the developers have been receptive to our ideas and enhancements and look forward to seeing how the app will continue to improve.