(I’m republishing posts on my My All-Time Favorite Posts list. This post was published in 2023. See them all here.
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Today I tried to reflect on all the changes that I have experienced. Think of the following: I’ve seen among my students over the past three years – in comparison to previous ones.
I thought that sharing these reflections with others might be helpful to me and to them.
This post in the first in a two-parter – I’ll share in the next one ideas I have on how I’m responding or not responding to them (along with any ideas in that vein that readers contribute).
Most of the more challenging changes I’ve seen seem increasingly apparent in students who are not in my ELL classes (except for the cellphone use issue – that’s across the board). I wonder if the challenges they faced in their homeland and on their journey to the United States may have boosted their resilience.
One thing I haven’t seen, though I know many other have, is reduced academic skills. I just haven’t seen any signs of so-called “learning loss” – not in my ELL classes or in my Theory of Knowledge ones. However, I must admit that about half of my TOK class students are IB Diploma Candidates and many others are probably fairly advanced students.
