2021 Exclusive - Digital Playground Teachers
Introduction
Conclusion: The Playground Is Here to Stay
- What they did: They monitored chat logs for exclusion. They noticed when a student’s camera was off for three days straight. They used "check-in" digital forms that asked, "What color is your mood today?"
- The 2021 Tool: Flipgrid (formerly Flip) became a lifeline. Seeing a friend's face, even asynchronously, reduced the isolation of remote learning.
- The Mantra: "You can't learn until you feel safe." These teachers prioritized the slide over the spelling test.
Lesson 1: Choice is the New Curriculum
In the digital playground, students choose their own adventure. Teachers who survived 2021 stopped forcing every student to do the same worksheet. They offered "must-do" basics and "may-do" extensions (gamified quizzes, creative projects).
