Students Prepare for 'Virtual Days'

Ahead of the Virtual Days program launch on March 18, students across the county are preparing for a new experience.

By: Benjamin Rickert, BCS Communications

Ahead of the Virtual Days program launch on Wednesday, March 18, students across the county are preparing for a new online classroom experience. This morning at Charles T. Koontz Intermediate school, Ms. DeLana Parker’s sixth-grade English and social studies students joined a preliminary video chat session to talk about what to expect.

“Anything we have to go through that makes things a little bit tougher makes us grow,” Parker assured her students on screen.

She asked the students to share their thoughts and feelings about the sudden changes experienced in schools around the world. The students then brainstormed ways to make the experience a success for their classmates. They discussed practical habits important for video chatting, like letting one person speak at a time and raising your hand in view of the webcam. They also talked about personal character qualities and how to communicate respect to others.

“We need to be respectful of everyone— not interrupting,” one student was heard saying through the laptop speaker.

“We need to be leaders… being aware of what we’re doing at all times,” answered another.

Parker said she began preparing her students for this scenario last week, before the governor’s March 14 executive order closed all schools in North Carolina to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). In class, for example, she asked students to email her their questions as though she wasn’t standing right in front of them. Students also learned more about Google Classroom, where their assignments will be posted for the duration of the closure.

“I have office hours for four hours each day, when they know they can reach me immediately,” Parker explained. “We are trying to bring some normalcy to the situation.”

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, Buncombe County teachers distributed laptops, iPads, and learning materials to more than 24,000 students in preparation for Wednesday's online classes. During their first virtual day together, Parker’s class will analyze and discuss a non-fiction article.

“That’s really what I’m excited about using this video technology for — to be able to have those deep discussions like we have in class,” Parker said.

___
Ms. DeLana Parker was named the 2020 Buncombe County Schools Teacher of the Year. Learn more about Ms. Parker’s work at C.T. Koontz Intermediate school.

DISTRICT

Elementary

Intermediate

Middle

High

Other

Buncombe County Schools