That's not the way my teacher does it!

 October, 2020.  My 8-year old is doing a hybrid distance learning model thanks to COVID.  She does distance learning Monday-Wednesday (and, by distance learning, I mean she hops on a zoom meeting for 30 minutes then the rest of the day is hers) and then attends in person learning Thursday and Friday.    So she gets assigned homework that she completes on her own time.  One evening I am trying to help her out with math.  I'm not understanding the instructions, but I understand how to solve the problem.  So I bust out the tried and trued algorithm and show her how to do it.  She looks at me, confused, and in her best sassy voice, says "that's not the way my teacher does it!" And I'm done.  I'm frustrated, she's frustrated, and no work is done.  My point?  I wish her teacher would have made a video that we, especially the parents, could access at home.  I am definitely an advocate for using instructional videos to supplement teaching.  My husband is a teacher and has been doing it for 10 years, I can see that it works.

I particularly like the flexibility and freedom using videos provides.  Oh, you're sick and can't come in, sub plans! You have kids that can't make it in? Video link on the classroom web page.  Need some extra help at home and parents have no idea how to help? They can view the video too!! There are so many options. Studies have also shown that short video clips are more efficient in helping memory recall.  

Personally, I will have to get over seeing myself, but the payoff will be worth it.  It might also be more work in the beginning, but once it's done, you have entire lessons, units, and months built out! I also liked how Jeff shared the story where the teacher called out a student and it became the 'thing' to do!  All his students wanted to be mentioned.  I also feel like there is an opportunity there for a scavenger hunt or something.  Something fun to tie into the lesson.  I would like to explore that some more.