You Can Do More Than You Think #36

Transcript of Podcast

Hi WOL Friends,

We are thrilled to share with you our latest podcast featuring Beth Van Oss, one of our Spanish Facilitators. Beth brings a wealth of experience to the World of Learning, and we had a great time discussing her first year working in the virtual world. We also delved into how her experiences, such as leading Outward Bound, have influenced her teaching approach in both virtual and brick-and-mortar classrooms.

Lauren, Beth, and Pat smiling in their Zoom boxes.

Our podcast co-host, Lauren McMinn, offered some valuable insights and even provided a FULL TRANSCRIPT of the episode.

Here are some of our favorite takeaways:

1. The core values of Outward Bound are; self-reliance, physical fitness, craftsmanship, and compassion. 

2. Getting people in an environment where they have to work with each other and work with themselves is a very transferable experience. Learners come out of Outward Bound, and hopefully our courses, with better communication skills and knowledge of themselves. Think about how valuable that could be for all of us → that our learning allows us to go into the world more prepared to collaborate and work.

3. Lauren highlighted the value of Beth’s strong teacher presence - and how her communication skills contribute to keeping everybody in the loop about student progress and expectations. She makes it apparent to everyone that the person in the room can help carry over on the days that you're not there.

4. We discussed how transitioning to teaching virtually, both LIVE and in the classroom, and to asynchronous classwork, requires some un-learning. When students show up in a live session or complete an assignment - you have an opportunity to make a connection - to create a space that is exciting and fun - from a distance. Your words and gestures matter. That is new to most of us. 

5. The importance of being a ‘presence’ in the students' life requires timely communication - and an in-the-moment type of effect even when you may be far away. You can’t wait too long to give feedback - it needs to be timely and clear.

6. Beth also believes that when we allow students to lead - by teaching and then gradually releasing the responsibility, our learners are empowered. They grasp the importance of their learning, whether it is knowing when to get off a river, or how to respond to teachers' prompts and questions, knowing when they need support and asking for help from a teacher or fellow student which gives them confidence and a sense of being capable. We also know when we teach - we learn. 

7. Silence matters. As a teacher, we need to give room (wait time or silence) for students to take a risk; try something new, figure out the answer, to know how to get up again when they fall. 

8. We learned from Beth that one of the mottos of Outward Bound is “you can do more than you think”. That is something! And so true. 

   Can you imagine taking any of these nuggets into your classroom, school, or district?

As we work to make learning more meaningful we are up to our ears in Narrative Storyboarding. And you could be, too. We are finding the work so invigorating for both our students and facilitators. Thinking about being a storyteller or having your students be actively engaged as a character in their own learning opens so many doors.

Have a great week,

Pat