Why Distance Learning‪?‬ Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring

As a companion to episode #29 - Teaching Culture Across Cultures with Wendy Lee - this special episode features six seventh-grade students from Tsai Hsing School in Taipei, Taiwan. Each student answers the question, "Why Distance Learning?"

The students are part of a daily distance learning program called Learning Live, a collaboration between Tsai Hsing School, where Wendy teaches and serves as the Director of Research and Development, and Banyan Global Learning, founded by this podcast's co-host, Seth Fleischauer.

This episode was recorded as part of a teaching unit on podcasting. Students were asked the question, "Why Distance Learning?" and the most thought-provoking answers are featured in this episode. Seth recorded his interviews with these students live during their Learning Live class periods, while their classmates observed the recording process and discussed the experience afterwards.

Common observations from the students included their enjoyment of the recording platform, Riverside.fm, and the realization that the podcasting process was more involved than they had initially imagined. Tune in to hear these insightful young voices share their unique perspectives on the value and importance of distance learning in today's interconnected world.

Guest links
1. Tsai Hsing School - http://english.thsh.tp.edu.tw/
2. World of 8 Billion - https://www.worldof8billion.org/


Host links:
Browse amazing virtual learning opportunities at Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell's CILC.org


Seth Fleischauer's  Banyan Global Learning helps schools leverage technology for teacher and student wellness including AI literacy PD for teachers and, for students, live virtual learning experiences in Character Education: banyangloballearning.com

We welcome Wendy Lee from Tsai Hsing School in Taipei, Taiwan who discusses the multifaceted roles of local teachers in a global distance learning language program called Learning Live. She highlights the challenges and responsibilities these educators face daily, emphasizing their need to be detail-oriented, capable of multitasking, and flexible to handle the unexpected. Key responsibilities include managing student behavior, ensuring comprehension in a non-native language (English), facilitating group projects, and providing on-site technical support.
Wendy explains that the program collaborates with teachers from Banyan Global Learning - who provides the lead teachers over live, virtual conference - to deliver a curriculum that not only teaches English, but also integrates cultural awareness. Original curricula cover various stories and themes, such as following a Taiwanese student named Luna as she travels in America and Latin America, with each unit tied to a U.N. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and including significant group projects.
The conversation also touches on cultural sensitivity in teaching, particularly around topics like gender equity. Wendy shares an instance where categorizing adjectives by gender proved challenging for Taiwanese students due to cultural differences in gender perception. This leads to discussions on how to redesign activities to better address and teach gender equity, highlighting the importance of cultural context in educational content.
Wendy advocates for strong communication and cooperation between local and distance learning teachers to enrich students' learning experiences and foster global perspectives. She stresses the long-term benefits of understanding and empathy in educational settings, which can significantly impact students' development and worldview.
Guest links
1. Tsai Hsing School - http://english.thsh.tp.edu.tw/
2. Bridges to Prosperity - https://bridgestoprosperity.org/

Host links:
Browse amazing virtual learning opportunities at Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell's CILC.org

Seth Fleischauer's  Banyan Global Learning helps schools leverage technology for teacher and student wellness including AI literacy PD for teachers and, for students, live virtual learning experiences in Character Education: banyangloballearning.com

In this episode, the WDL crew welcomes Jen Sayre, Director of Applied Technology at Fairfield County ESC, Ohio. They delve into the essence of high-quality online learning experiences and the genesis of InnevAto EDU, a comprehensive online course catalog for grades 6-12. Jen shares inspiring stories of students who leveraged online learning to chase their dreams, underscoring the urgency of reconceptualizing educational time and space. They also discuss InnevAto's collaboration with CareerTech, aiming to offer career-specific electives alongside practical experiences. Throughout the conversation, Jen underscores the critical needs of teachers and course developers in adapting to online education. She stresses the significance of integrating SEL, ADA compliance, and DEI principles into digital learning environments. Jen advocates for robust training for educators, emphasizing web accessibility and the effective incorporation of SEL and DEI into online curricula. Highlighting the customized nature of online assessments, she calls for a fresh approach to educational logistics. Jen's insights underline the unparalleled accessibility and adaptability of online learning, framing it as a cornerstone for future educational endeavors.

Guest Links:
InnevAto Edu: https://www.innevatoedu.org/

Host links:
Browse amazing virtual learning opportunities at Tami Moehring and Allyson MItchell's CILC.org
Seth Fleischauer's  Banyan Global Learning helps schools leverage technology for teacher and student wellness including AI literacy PD for teachers and, for students, live virtual learning experiences in Character Education: banyangloballearning.com

Valary Oleinik describes herself as part artist, part geek, and wholly dedicated to enhancing live virtual learning experiences. Her unique approach, blending curiosity, gameful experiences, and technology, positions her as a key influencer and innovator in the field.
Valary's dedication to breaking traditional education molds is evident as she explains her methodologies for making distance learning more engaging and effective. By leveraging her "MacGyver mindset," she encourages educators to utilize available resources creatively and to rethink their approaches to teaching and learning in virtual environments. Her philosophy emphasizes the importance of curiosity, creativity, and the use of technology to foster engaging learning experiences that cater to diverse learning journeys.
Throughout the conversation, Valary shares anecdotes and examples from her work, including her innovative "in and out of the box" thinking exercises and her commitment to volunteerism within the learning community, particularly through her roles at the US Distance Learning Association (USDLA). Her strategies for overcoming challenges in distance education, such as fostering engagement and addressing the fears and reservations of educators new to the virtual format, resonate with the overarching theme of the podcast.
Valary's insights into gamification, the power of choice in learning, and the necessity of adapting to learners' needs underscore the transformative possibilities that distance learning offers. The discussion serves as an inspiration for educators seeking to navigate and excel in the realm of live virtual learning, reinforcing this podcast's mission to explore the medium's dynamic capabilities.

Guest links:
Valary With A Why - https://www.valarywithawhy.com/

Host links:
Browse amazing virtual learning opportunities at Tami Moehring and Allyson MItchell's CILC.org
Seth Fleischauer's  Banyan Global Learning helps schools leverage technology for teacher and student wellness including AI literacy PD for teachers and, for students, live virtual learning experiences in Character Education: banyangloballearning.com

In this episode, Seth and Allyson interview Michelle Carlisle, an expert, experienced distance learning educator. They discuss Michele's world language program in Ohio, which offers several languages that would not be available were it not for live virtual instruction. Michelle shares the history and development of the program, as well as the challenges and successes of teaching languages remotely. They also explore the importance of building relationships in distance learning and how teachers can create connections with their students. Finally, they discuss  Go Learn, a platform that allows school districts to offer and access additional courses through live virtual instruction. The conversation explores the implementation of hybrid learning models and the importance of preparing students for the future workforce. It also discusses innovative teaching methods and the benefits of distance learning.
Takeaways


The world language program in Ohio offers live virtual instruction to students, providing access to language classes that are otherwise unavailable at their local schools.Building relationships is crucial in distance learning, and teachers can use various strategies such as sharing personal stories, using breakout rooms, and incorporating interactive activities.The Go Learn program is a platform that allows school districts to offer and access additional courses through live virtual instruction, expanding educational opportunities for students.Live virtual instruction is different from asynchronous online learning; it requires specific strategies and approaches to ensure student engagement and success. Additional training is necessary for a successful hybrid learning environment.Hybrid learning models prepare students for the future workplace.Innovative teaching methods can engage both in-person and remote students.Distance learning provides opportunities for students that may not exist otherwise.Host Links:
Browse amazing virtual learning opportunities at CILC.org
Seth's  Banyan Global Learning prepares students for real life with live virtual learning experiences in Character Education: banyangloballearning.com

In this episode, the team interviews Adam Bair, a parent whose daughter participates in CILC's Community of Learning events. Adam shares his journey and the impact of distance learning on the education of his daughter Emma  who is deaf. They discuss the importance of exposure to new content for children with hearing loss and the impact of using American Sign Language (ASL) on learning methods and outcomes. Adam also highlights the evolution of accessibility features in video conferencing and the funding opportunities available for accessibility initiatives. Mention is made that as people age and their hearing is reduced similar accomodation supports their continued mental health. The conversation emphasizes the power of distance learning to provide equitable access to education.
Takeaways
Distance learning provides access to locations and experiences that may not be possible otherwise.ASL interpretation and accessibility features in video conferencing have improved, making distance learning more inclusive.Distance learning allows for exposure to new content and concepts, which is crucial for deaf children's incidental learning.ASL is a conceptual language that conveys ideas rather than a direct word-for-word translation. (There is also manually signed English which is word-for-word.Funding opportunities are available for organizations and individuals looking to support accessibility initiatives.
Episode links:
Learn more about the resources available at the American Society for Deaf Children here: deafchildren.org/Host links:
The Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) offers free Memberships and interactive virtual learning programs and resources: cilc.org/

Tune-in to the CILC Community of Learning education series that airs every Tuesday -Friday at 1PM. Select programs have live American Sign Language (ASL Interpretation), thanks to Emma and the American Society for Deaf Children. Check out the full schedule and register for FREE here: cilc.org/community.Check out Banyan Global

Check out Learning Live virtual programs for character education at https://banyangloballearning.com/live-virtual-field-trips/.