Are hybrid learning models working?
WELCOME TO THE MICROSCHOOL BUILDERS WEEKLY ROUNDUP!
Its been quite a week, hasn’t it? I’m sure that you’re looking forward to the 3-day holiday weekend here in the US, if you are currently working as a teacher in a public or private school. So many stories in the news this week have been about what school is like for those who have gone back face to face. To support your thinking about microschool building this week, I offer a story about those who are being asked to do a hybrid model (also called concurrent learning) as well as those who are finding success in using outdoor learning models, and proposing unique solutions for families as well.
IS A HYBRID (CONCURRENT) MODEL REALLY POSSIBLE?
With many teachers back to work, the stories of how difficult the “new normal” is to manage. In Florida, teachers are ‘On the verge of walking out’ (Allyson Henning). Remember, your students can’t learn until they have their basic needs met (and neither can you). Put social and emotional experiences first, before focusing on academic content.
PRO TIP: If you are looking for educators to work at your microschool, share articles like this one and ask questions like – “Is this you?” to get responses from potential collaborators.
OUTDOOR LEARNING IS A WIN!
The New York Public School District has been talking about opening its schools with more emphasis on outdoor learning – a not to the 1918 pandemic schooling. Here’s one article about their plans: NYC Unveils Outdoor Learning Initiative for Upcoming School Year: What to Know
More and more school districts are playing around with those ideas. Monticello Schools had a kindergarten program in place last year and has ramped up its plans to allow more kids to learn outdoors this year due to the pandemic. Use the article: Monticello schools look to nature-based classes during COVID-19 pandemic by reporter Jessica Miles as a way to share the idea and its merit with your students and their families.
PRO TIP: If you plan to make outdoor learning some part of your microschool plan, be sure to play that up in your marketing materials, as outdoor learning spaces are in increasing demand for safety/health AND enjoyment reasons!
MARKETERS ARE BEING CREATIVE, WHY NOT YOU TOO?
This week I read about pandemic thwarted beach resorts using some creative thinking. Some are offering special Schoolcations’ as the latest hotel trend to attract remote learners (Genevieve Shaw Brown). What I found most interesting was the vacation industry’s desire to make a challenging time more enjoyable, in order to attract a new group of customers who would not ordinarily be able to travel at this time of the year (families with school age children).
PRO TIP: This is a fantastic strategy for the would be microschool owner. Think about the biggest pain points your ideal family has – what do they want or need that YOU can provide them? Do they need to have flexibility to travel? Give that to them. Do they need more hours of child care? Build that in. Put their needs first, and you’ll wind up with a fully enrolled microschool!