文／Louise Catherine Schache老师
Written by Ms. Louise Catherine Schache
这一特殊时期，我们无法继续原有的学习、工作节奏。尽管如此，学校第一时间以全新的 “开启模式” 迎来新学期。当我得知将通过网络平台教学时，并不感到惊讶。因为，在这特殊时期，远程教学或许是最行之有效的了。起先，我曾担心网络教学系统是否稳定，能否照顾到每位学生，但随着教学顺利开展，那些疑虑早就烟消云散了。通过与家长的密切合作，孩子们的 “居家云上课”、老师的 “云教学” 开展得绘声绘色。
No one was expecting CoVid 19. It was sudden and confronting. Despite the complexities of the situation, our school, SUIS, did a wonderful job in rolling out – rather speedily – the new interface for teaching for the first part of this semester. When it was announced I was not surprised as it seemed the most logical solution in the circumstances. Initially I had some concerns about what platforms we would be using however, these concerns became less so as the process unfolded. In cooperation with the parent community we were able to produce a platform that would support teaching and learning and the student’s homelife.
据我以往的云教学经验，云授课有其自身局限和可行性。其中最明显的一点是学生们都拥有自己的电子设备，有时甚至比教室的条件还好。这一点让我非常放心。当然，缺点是老师无法和孩子零距离直面交流，一个拥抱、一次握手…… 很可惜，这些都是网络教学无法实现的，也是我最想念的地方。于是，我试着用笑声，在云课堂上拉进师生距离，问问孩子这周过得如何？周末做了哪些有趣的事？
I have had previous experience with online teaching, so I was familiar with the limitations and affordances of this approach. There are definite strengths and weaknesses. One of the advantages in this situation is we can be certain that each child will have a device which is not always so in every class at school. This means that digital literacies will definitely get huge push forward. As this literacy is highly relevant in today’s world, I can only be happy with the outcome! One of the disadvantages is the dynamic between the teacher and the individual student. Students will often hug you, hold your hand or lean on you while you are explaining a concept to them. This of course is not possible online. I must say I miss this aspect of teaching. While there is this difference it does not stop me from having a laugh with them or finding time during a lesson where they can tell me what they have been up to during the week or the weekend.
当然，“云教学” 也带来了惊喜，我有更多机会接触家长。平日里，出于语言和文化上的原因，中国老师承担了较多和家长沟通的任务。而此次特殊情况，我与家长交流更频繁，反馈孩子学习情况。知晓了孩子的家庭背景、家庭文化，从而优化教学方式做到因材施教。
疫情给我们带来了痛苦和悲伤，但我尽力从中发现希望，待穿过风雨，我相信自己也会是一名更出色的老师。
One of the unexpected pleasures I have had during this season was getting to know the parent community. Previously this was not something that happened as a foreigner due to language and cultural barriers. This situation forced the issue. I have really enjoyed getting to know the parents and communicating the successes of their child. This has really helped me understand their context and therefore design lessons more suited to their situation.
While Covid 19 was unexpected and unfortunate and in some cases devastating, it hasn’t been all bad. In situations like these I like to look for the opportunities. As you can see there are many. I believe that this season will definitely make me a better teacher.