I have been a teacher for almost 30 years and have never faced a disruptive effect brought into the classroom as much as Covid 2020. There has been much debate, backlash and adjustment for concerned students, teachers and even parents. Nothing in the teaching playbook has prepared me to face Covid.
Therefore, as the world begins to prepare for Covid to become endemic, rather than a pandemic, I have 10 class exercises for all teachers to use as potential discussion.
Note that some questions also focus on artificial intelligence (AI), inequality, and sustainability issues. Finally, I have created these questions for the benefit of teachers.
Are here:
Problem 1:
Can you provide ways in which you can design your own custom made reusable cloth mask to show your individuality?
Problem 2:
How can you change the background of your zoom profile so that the zoom instructor knows that you have prepared for your topic?
Problem 3:
There is a zoom class in session. Without warning, a hacker abruptly disrupts the online class, also known as “zoom-bombing.”
How should you react so that the intruder does not have the pleasure of having succeeded in his devious plans?
Problem 4:
Ask the class to choose a difficult topic. Encourage them to brainstorm how they can create a short TikTok recording to highlight the important concepts of this topic.
Do a social experiment and ask them if they still find the topic challenging after this TikTok recording.
Problem 5:
Create a scenario where Instagram has requested that any additional images uploaded beyond 50 be charged a fee. Then ask your class which images they will still retain and why.
PS: For clarity, you can ask them to use their current Instagram collection as an example.
Problem 6:
Get your class into different groups and ask them to discuss what are the jobs that will be difficult for humans to be replaced by AI and provide some reasons.
PS: For background reference, many HR experts predicted the rise of AI in the workplace even before the detection of Covid before 2020.
Problem 7:
Before doing this exercise in the classroom, use Google to get relevant and up-to-date statistics on global inequality. With this information, ask the class to provide suggestions on how this inequality can be minimized.
PS: It is important that you do not be too demanding with your expectations of their answers, since they do not have easy access to the solutions.
Problem 8:
Explain to your class what the term “sustainability” means. Then proceed to ask them if they are willing to recycle and waste less for a better world in the future.
PS: This question may not hit home until you ask how they feel if they don’t upgrade to the latest mobile device to reduce digital waste.
Problem 9:
Ask them how they perceive the concept of “the simple life” without the stress of wanting more.
Question 10:
This last question may be the most profound of all. Do they feel that they are slaves to technology and that their privacy will never be theirs?