The Benefits of Virtual Classroom - Collaboration

Collaboration

Starfire is excited to share the top 5 benefits of learning in our Virtual Classroom. STEAM learning is a collaborative, dynamic practice for both students and educators. Our classrooms support enriching learning experiences in which all learners participate and grow.

Increased opportunities for collaboration

Learning in our virtual classroom puts a big emphasis on collaborative learning. Students screenshare and work together in breakout rooms. Students encourage each other to use class time effectively. Remote team work is a  practice that will reshape schools and workplaces in the future. The virtual classroom exposes students to this practice and equips them to meet the future.

Teacher Collaboration

Collaboration is a core value for the Starfire teacher community. Starfire teachers have come together to improve the experience children are having via remote education. New approaches to curriculum, curriculum delivery, and classroom management resources have been developed and mobilized. Starfire teachers Shweta, Usha and Pallavi spearheaded our team’s redevelopment of our electrical engineering curriculum for the virtual classroom. Together, they developed a fun, project-based program for Starfire students.

The Benefits of Virtual Classroom - Ownership & Participation

Ownership & Participation

Starfire is sharing the top 5 benefits to students and teachers of learning in the Virtual Classroom. One of the most significant benefits we have seen is the ability and eagerness of students to take ownership for their own learning. Teachers have the tools to encourage all students to participate and meaningful opportunities to check for understanding.

Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning

Students have the opportunity to develop a more mature and responsible outlook on their own education. The teacher is not physically present, impressing the need for order, rather the student is self-motivated to develop the discipline necessary for excellence.A Starfire Engineering teacher says, “Students follow class rules, help each other, and even ask their parents for the space to work independently. They understand the impact of their behavior on their peers: they mute themselves if there is too much background noise, ask those making noise to keep it down and then unmute themselves. I’m so impressed!”

Increased Participation & more intentional opportunities to check for understanding

Students uncomfortable being at the center of attention or those who have a more tentative approach to collaboration are often wary of participating in class. However, when teaching over Zoom, teachers can use the polling function to have students answer multiple-choice questions anonymously. Engagement increases, as does the teacher’s ability to see which students understand the challenge at hand. Teachers can create more opportunities to check for understanding. There is less classroom management happening in the virtual classroom and more time to check in with kids. Teachers can stop more frequently, and give more practice work without concern about losing kids’ attention and momentum of the lesson.A Starfire music teacher enthused, “I can use anonymous polling to ask for opinions and check for understanding. Students feel more comfortable taking risks and trying out new skills.”

Students experience learning as integrated into their lives

Sparking a lifelong love of problem solving is a core Starfire goal. However, some students have experienced learning as a “siloed” activity that happens only in school. The virtual classroom integrates school and home life, opening students to the perspective of learning independently outside of their familiar school context. Home is not just a place to simply crash out and watch YouTube videos after school – it’s a learning environment.

The Benefits of Virtual Classroom - Digital Literacy

Digital Literacy

Starfire is sharing the top 5 benefits to students and teachers of learning in the Virtual Classroom. Today, we’re talking about how students are learning to use technology safely and productively.

Responsible use of technology

Young students are often proficient gamers and enthusiastic social media users. However, many will benefit from upskilling when it comes to using technology responsibly and for productive, mature purposes. A Starfire coding teacher says, “Functional, actionable technology knowledge increases while using our learning platform. Features that are a part of the online platform are discovered in the process of teaching. I have so many students who get fascinated by Zoom as a platform and its many functionalities and ask good questions about software architecture.”

Technological fluency

The fact that students are constantly attached to screens doesn’t mean that they know how to adapt to technology effectively and with a productive purpose. Learning in Starfire’s virtual classroom provides valuable lessons in how to adapt to new systems and software, and how to troubleshoot technical issues. Teacher Supriya says, “Teaching a technology class on a technology platform is an ideal way of delivering the class”

The Benefits of Virtual Classroom - Class Time

Safety, Accessibility and Class Time

Starfire STEAM classes have moved to an all virtual model. We are so excited by the positive responses of Starfire families and the possibilities unlocked by this change.

We’re sharing the top 5 benefits to students and teachers for the Virtual Classroom. Today, we’re talking about how we use class time and how class time is experienced in the Virtual Classroom.

Student safety

As teachers, our first job is to make sure children are safe and well. In online learning, we know that a parent is close at hand should a student require anything. Teachers don’t worry or spend time supervising approved guardians pick up and drop off.

More efficient use of class time

Tasks that can monopolize class time such as getting excused to go to the bathroom or waiting for students to get in line are managed more more simply in the virtual classroom. The start and conclusion of class are conducted quickly and smoothly. Students spend their class time on fun activities, engaged and focused on their challenges.

Accessibility for students with special needs

Learning from home provides students (in most cases) with a stable and secure environment that can be more easily tailored to their specific needs. See our Learning from Home resources on tips to adapt the home space for your learner. Starfire teacher Randel describes his experience with the virtual classroom, “students can focus better on problem solving without distracting each other. When a student needs to concentrate on a particularly challenging problem, it is easy for him or her to block all distractions from the rest of the class. Students can privately message me if there is something they need to feel comfortable or to understand the challenge.”

The Benefits of Virtual Classroom - Responsiveness

Responsiveness

Starfire STEAM classes have moved to an all virtual model. We are so excited by the positive responses of Starfire families and the possibilities unlocked by this change.

We’re sharing the top 5 benefits to students and teachers for the Virtual Classroom. This week we’re talking about responsiveness to student needs.

Small class sizes & Responsive Curriculum

Smaller Starfire virtual classes discard a classic “one size fits all” approach. The teacher has the ability to tailor classes more specifically to different students. The teacher also has the ability to adapt curriculum to suit student learning needs and interests. 

Grouping Students by Affinity and Interest

Classes are composed of students who are drawn together by their similar interests and knowledge levels, rather than simply their grades or school district. Students with advanced understanding can accelerate their learning. Teachers provide a curriculum that is responsive to the knowledge levels and interests of their student group. Students who share interests and affinities gain powerful social benefits from finding like minded peers. Starfire teacher Adrian has expressed surprise and delight at the amazing quality of the work produced by his “Animation in Scratch” students who are all experienced coders and interested in digital arts.