It's the end of July and so much still remains unknown. Administrators and educators are continuing to work so hard to do what's best for learners while following the recommendations and limitations put in place because of our current circumstances.  So much changes every day and it feels like we are all just trying to keep our heads above water.

As I meet with both teachers and administrators, I find myself coming back to two questions regardless of what we are considering.  We might be talking about...

• Professional learning that will need to be in place moving forward
• Designing experiences for at-home and in-class learners
• Using technology in a way that makes sense right now
• Supporting parents as they implement at-home learning procedures

I could go on and on.  The reality is that regardless of what we do right now, we should be considering sustainability.  Intentionality will provide the opportunity to continue to use so much of what we are putting into place for years to come. 

So, what two questions do I ask in every single planning meeting, professional learning experience, and conversation that I have with educators right now?

There are still many things that remain unknown about the upcoming school year.  While it can be super scary and frustrating to lack so many answers, there are several things that we do know...
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• ​We know that it will be important to design experiences that are meaningful regardless of where they happen.
• We know that every learner deserves to experience learning in a way that is appropriate for them as an individual.
• We know that at-home learners deserve an experience that is as similar to the in-class experience as possible. 

Simply, knowing these things provides enough clarity to move from the reactive state that we have been in to a proactive state as we begin to prepare for and think through what learning will look like moving forward. 

I just can't stop thinking about what the Fall might look like and how we will have to think so far beyond what we've always done to make any of this work.  Regardless of what I think about or the conversations that I have, I always come back to this idea of Collaborative Experience Design. Now, stay with me...this isn't new.  In fact, it's something that you've probably done at at some point in your career if you've been in the classroom for some time.

The idea involves creating teams of teachers to come together to design cross-curricular experiences for learners that will be meaningful regardless of where the learning happens. I don't think it's fair, realistic, or sustainable for educators to be expected to design different experiences for at-home and in-class learners. Instead, I think every learner should be given the opportunity to learn through the experiences are designed by a team and given the support that they need along the way.   

Weekly, blended, cross-curricular learning experiences make sense right now.  Here's what I'm thinking...