PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Each KEDC Team Member created a Google Classroom. Experienced Google Classroom (GC) users expanded on current content and served as mentors for other instructors.

• • Instructors created a GC in the subject area(s) that they provide instruction.
  • Career Navigators created a GC that can be shared with students, instructors, and community partners.
  • Each KEDC team member provided a peer review of at least one other classroom.
  • Each KEDC team member enrolled students in their GC.
  • Each KEDC team member provided feedback during monthly zoom meetings with PL coach and other staff.

On March 16th, KEDC programs closed in person classes due to COVID-19. Due to the restrictions on in-person instruction, it was helpful that all programs had Google Classrooms in place and were able to use them effectively as a way to communicate with students. KEDC staff collectively created over 50 Google Classrooms during the 19-20 PL year.

LIVE AND LEARN, MESSY MOMENTS

Some of these “messy” moments refer to specific challenges that the group encountered during product development, as well as challenges unique to the impact of the pandemic. These include:

• • Lack of student participation. This could be attributed to multiple factors, such as technology limitations, the challenge of having children at home participating in NTI, and perhaps pandemic-related anxiety. Centers re-opened in the fall on a limited basis and following pandemic safety protocols. It was not uncommon for students to make an appointment but not show up.
  • Learners did not have consistent access to materials needed for distance learning (e.g., a computer/laptop, reliable internet, Wi-Fi, or a hotspot).
  • Forms did not print correctly and took multiple pages
  • Figuring out how to properly document DL time
  • Trying to make PDF documents fillable or find an alternative
  • Creating video content for classes
  • Due to COVID-19 restrictions, instructors were not able to guide students through the process of getting started in GC the way they would in person. This made the process of orienting students to GC somewhat difficult.

MASTERY MOMENTS

Some of the mastery moments encountered during development and implementation include:

• • All instructors had time through the year to expand upon Google Classroom and/or create a new classroom in the content area in which they taught.
  • Instructors were pleased with their classrooms and enjoyed adding content. They also appreciated having time to upload videos, explore each other’s materials, and share/borrow resources.
  • Sharing classrooms with other instructors that taught similar subjects and being able to share content with each other.
  • KEDC was able to loan Chromebooks (and hotspots) to learners who did not have access to a computer or laptop at home.
  • Not all learners were comfortable with Google Classroom. However, instructors were able to make the necessary adjustments to provide instruction and support to learners and ensure continued progress. This included creating packets of instructional materials for learners to work on at home, as well as hosting classroom sessions via Zoom, Google Hangout, or Facebook live.
  • Instructors also encouraged learners to continue to use online learning systems, such as IXL and FastForward. They were also able to provide remote testing/assessment. This type of flexibility and resilience were important in helping KEDC continue to serve their learners despite the ongoing pandemic.