What does "new normal" mean to you?

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What does “new normal” mean to you? Does it mean people wearing masks? Washing your hands every 10 minutes? Following a strict protocol every time you go to the supermarket? We cannot deny all of this is definitely becoming part of our daily lives. But I see much more than these evident changes.

Massive lockdowns have forced teachers to change the way we teach. For many, it was a crash course in online teaching and everything we had carefully planned at the beginning of the term changed overnight. It was a hard process of adaptation. We had to explore different platforms to find the one that suits our needs, digitalize content, think of alternatives for our physical material, engage students to keep their attention with their family around, keep OUR attention with theirs and ours around... And if you work, like most of us, in different schools and institutes, you probably found yourself answering dozens of e-mails and turning your living room into a recording studio until 3 in the morning.

This COVID-19 situation has revealed a reality that many were unaware of.  Many teachers and educational institutions were totally unprepared to act, either because of lack of resources or because of lack of proper training.  All of a sudden, a worldwide pandemic left us with no other choice but to adapt and update, and probably change everything we knew we had to change but never had time, energy, knowledge, willingness, you name it.

We probably recall that memorable TED Talk “Changing Education Paradigms,” one of the most inspiring and to date the most widely seen and translated TED Talk of all times. Back in 2008 (yes, 12 years ago!) Sir Ken Robinson explained the need for a radical change in the educational system that was conceived of in and for different time and to suit the needs of a specific group of people. He made it clear that although it was revolutionary when implemented, it was about time to leave that image of industrialism behind. Our world is not the same, societies are not the same, the concept of the individual is not the same.  Then, why have we been teaching in the mind of a century ago? Or worse, if we already knew this, why have we been teaching in the mind of a decade ago?

It probably feels as if we were pushed into action once and for all. We no longer stand and stare, but we become the protagonists of change and start innovating. Plenty of trial and error,  I know. But we are little by little causing a revolution in our lessons. I am 100% sure that many “small revolutions” have been taking place. We have all seen them.

And most importantly, we have seen colleagues helping each other, dividing tasks, sharing fascinating talks, recommending activities that work and lesson-saving web pages. But oftentimes, the good deeds happen in isolation despite the reach of social media. So probably this worldwide pandemic is THE opportunity to start a new revolution from our collaborative work. THAT should be our “new normal.”

Reach out to your colleagues, especially those who are struggling, share material, exchange thoughts and concerns, create a database of worksheets and books in case someone needs them.  All the effort we are making in isolation should be put at the service of improving teaching and learning together. Let's make collaboration the new normal. 

Don’t forget: sharing is caring.

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