Humanizing Distance Learning: Centering Equity and Humanity in Times of Crisis

"In some ways, shouldn′t we always be teaching from a distance?" Paul France asks this not as pitch for distance learning. But because part of the reason distance learning has been so challenging, Paul asserts, is that we’re replicating long-standing practices that promote dependent learning in our students. Why not use this unique moment of time to reconnect with the true purpose of teaching: to help our students become liberated learners and free thinkers? The next logical step in teachers’ months-long distance learning "journey," Humanizing Distance Learning describes how to center humanity and equity in our process of reimagining learning. Even while teaching and learning miles apart through screens, you’ll discover how to Build independence within your students so they’re better equipped to tackle challenges with persistence and learn how to learn Make collaboration and human connection essential components of your pedagogy, offering students the chance to socialize and learn from one another Center and unpack stu­dents’ identities, helping them develop a conscious knowledge of themselves, all the while using their self-identified strengths to overcome any obstacles Plan, prepare, and implement humanized instruction while teaching for student liberation—both digitally and in person. Investigate technol­ogy integration, including the Digital Divide, as well as ways to minimize EdTech integration so that our collective sense of humanity can continue to be front and center "The future," Paul writes, "may be unclear, the road may be rocky, and the story may continue to be long and winding as we push forward through this global crisis. But the answer will always be simple: We must teach and learn in pursuit of a deeper sense of collective humanity—and for no other reason." "This book is equal parts visionary and practical, courageous and invitational. It addresses foundational needs and wrenching challenges teachers faced during the recent time when U.S. teachers abruptly found themselves teaching remotely. . . . It is a deeply humanizing book." ~Carol Ann Tomlinson, William Clay Parrish, Jr. Professor Emeritus, University of Virginia   "Humanizing Distance Learning is a book for our times not only because it addresses how to build a culture of thinking and teach for understanding at a distance, but also because it challenges the status quo of education by offering a more liberated and humane vision." ~Ron Ritchhart, Senior Research Associate, Harvard Graduate School of Education   "Paul France has produced a timely and necessary book that will help educators humanize distance learning. Recognizing incredible dimensions of complexity, this book will surely help educators traverse times of uncertainty in distance learning." ~H. Richard Milner IV, Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair of Education, Vanderbilt University  

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments About the Author INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 . TEACHING FOR LIBERATION Learning How to Learn Leveraging Conferences for Habits Check-Ins CHAPTER 2 . INTENSIFYING SOCIOEMOTIONAL LEARNING Structure Is Healing A Sense of Community Hope and Gratitude Justice for Teachers CHAPTER 3 . BUILDING A RESILIENT CLASSROOM CULTURE Building Agreements Organically Taking Into Account Varying Home Lives Rules Are Meant to Be Broken Normalizing Risk, Rupture, and Repair The Importance of Relationships CHAPTER 4 . MAKING PLANNING SUSTAINABLE Learning-Oriented Planning Flexibility and Responsiveness Day-to-Day Planning Adapting Lessons to Distance Learning CHAPTER 5 . UNPACKING IDENTITY Identity Studies Storytelling Infusing Identity Into Everything You Teach The Impact of Identity CHAPTER 6 . REDEFINING STUDENT SUCCESS The Why The What The How Redefining Student Success CHAPTER 7 . LEVERAGING COMPLEX INSTRUCTION What Is Complex Instruction? Multidimensional Learning Deindustrializing Learning Teaching for Liberation CHAPTER 8 . BECOMING AN EDTECH MINIMALIST Moving Away From App-Centric Learning Maximizing Active Screen Time Minimizing Quantitative Data Centering Human Connection A Need for One Another CHAPTER 9 . DISMANTLING STRUCTURAL INEQUITIES A History of Inequitable Funding A System of Compounding Inequity Web-Based Learning as a Means of Oppression CHAPTER 10 . CENTERING HUMANITY Flexible Scheduling Finding Ways to Connect A New Vision for Teaching and Learning References Index

About the Author :
Paul Emerich France is a National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and author of five books on teaching, including Reclaiming Personalized Learning: A Pedagogy for Restoring Equity and Humanity in our Classrooms and Make Teaching Sustainable: Six Shifts Teachers Want and Students Need. He is also the author of Educational Leadership’s monthly column, “Make Teaching Sustainable.” France has authored well over 40 articles and blogs for various publications, including EdSurge, Edutopia, the International Literacy Association, and The Learning Professional. Paul spent ten years as an elementary school teacher, working with students in grades transitional kindergarten through fifth grade. He has experience in both public and independent schools, and now serves as a consultant and coach, working with teachers to both humanize their teaching and make it more sustainable, finding practices that benefit students, meanwhile helping teachers find sustainability in their workloads. In 2023, he founded Make Teaching Sustainable, an organization committed to helping schools find sustainable practices. Paul also hosts the Make Teaching Sustainable podcast, which can be found on all major streaming platforms. You can reach out to Paul by visiting http://www.maketeachingsustainable.org, emailing him at paul@maketeachingsustainable.org, or by following him on Instagram and Twitter at @sustainteaching.

Review :
"Drawing from years of experiences and insights about teaching, Paul France has produced a timely and necessary book that will help educators humanize distance learning.  By co-constructing with students and families norms of trust, collective problem solving and advocacy, educators are challenged to reflect on the best of their established toolkit while simultaneously co-creating new ways to build communities of learning. Recognizing incredible dimensions of complexity, this book will surely help educators traverse times of uncertainty in distance learning." "This book is equal parts visionary and practical, courageous and invitational. It addresses foundational needs and wrenching challenges teachers faced during the recent time when U.S. teachers abruptly found themselves teaching remotely—a time defined by multiple crises with little time for careful reflection. More to the point, the book’s deeply thoughtful guidance from an educator with rich experience in both technology and teaching points the way to more promising practices in times ahead that can dignify both teaching and learning both in classrooms and on-line. It is a deeply humanizing book." "Humanizing Distance Learning is a book for our times not only because it addresses how to build a culture of thinking and teach for understanding at a distance, but also because it challenges the status quo of education by offering a more liberated and humane vision.  Through his personalized writing, examples, and stories, Paul France helps us explore how all of us can do a better job of cultivating independence, agency, and empowerment in our students even as we attend to the need of the curriculum we are charged to teach."