The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly altered how the American educational system operates. In recent months, we have seen teachers, students, and parents transition to a new style of learning profoundly different from pre-pandemic times. Although many classrooms currently remain vacant across the nation, educators remain hopeful that students may return in the near future. As the current school year draws near, members of the education community are taking a proactive approach to planning for the future of academia.

As America begins to reopen its doors, leaders are taking steps to help protect the public's health and well-being. Developing a dynamic action plan with precautions and contingencies will help ensure public safety, while providing a superior academic experience. 

Remote learning will undoubtedly play a role in future education, but administrators are hopeful that students will return to classrooms. Effective communication amongst parents, educators, and students remains critical for creating a nurturing learning environment. Let’s take a look at the future of schooling and how technology learning tools may be applied moving forward.

Using Blended Learning Models

As the world continues to grapple with an uncertain future, educational leaders remain focused on getting students back in classrooms safely. Communities will need to assess risks and develop strategies to serve the needs of students while still protecting public health. Each school district may function independently, but local leaders should work alongside state and federal officials to create safe and cohesive learning experiences.

Schools may function and operate differently than before. The key is creating an approach that protects students while encouraging an engaging learning environment. Keeping schools at 100% capacity may not be a safe and effective option, but distance learning also comes with its own limitations.

Many schools may choose to adopt a hybrid strategy often known as blended learning. These environments would allow students to occasionally attend in-person learnings, but a majority of coursework would still be completed at home. Students would attend classes in smaller cohorts to minimize potential exposure while adhering to social distancing recommendations.

The blended learning model can effectively be utilized with the appropriate tools and conditions in place. Let’s take a look at how visual learning tools may be used to support academics moving forward.

Utilizing Visual Learning Tools

Visual learning tools can safely provide instructional support to students through the utilization of diverse educational capabilities. Specialized instructional experiences can be used to enhance information retention strategies while helping to engage students on an intellectual level. 

Spinitar and VariQuest have teamed up to help address the current academic needs of children. Through the use of visual learning tools students are given the opportunity to learn through differentiated instruction, project-based and blended learning, whole-brain experiences, and real-world practices. Our unique set of tools help transform classrooms by creating interactive experiences for students and educators. 

VariQuest’s visual and kinesthetic learning tools provide students with academic support within an engaging and interactive learning environment. Effective communication remains a key element of ensuring safety as schools begin to reopen. Visual supports and descriptive prompts help this cause by informing and protecting members of the academic community. Students and staff should remain conscious of social distancing recommendations, proper hygiene tactics, and social-emotional learning techniques.

VariQuest offers a number of cutting-edge technological innovations designed to keep students focused and engaged. Our tools create prominent signage for displaying safety expectations, school information, and directional guidance so that schools may safely reopen.

Our revolutionary products can help to create visual classroom signs and insignia such as:

  • Graphically enhanced educational posters
  • Three-dimensional learning objects
  • Vibrant cutouts displaying digitally-cut letters, numbers, and entire collections
  • Learning modules
  • Full-color personalized labels and more

The VariQuest line of products provides academically focused solutions with easy-to-use and efficient technologies. If you’d like some free resources to help support educators and students during the upcoming reopening phase—please feel free to research our Guide to Opening Schools Safely for more information.

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