Finding The Balance With Flex Learning
CEDAR HILL, TX – Collegiate High School Freshman Biology Teacher Richard Anderson said he’s been impressed with the District’s transition to Flex Learning.
“You are trying to find that balance,” Anderson said. “It’s been a learning curve. You want to find enough work for them to be challenged, but not overwhelmed.”
Anderson, who is the Science Department Chair at Collegiate High School, credits the District and Campus Administration with providing support and flexibility.
“We are mixing the e-textbook that is available, with all kinds of resources,” Anderson said.
Anderson said his scholars’ technological savvy has been an asset during this time. He said they’ve also adjusted to the routine of the online classwork over the past month.
He has online office hours where he can request tutoring hours for scholars who may have questions about the material.
Anderson, in his fourth year teaching at Collegiate, has set up an online element of learning early in his time with the District.
“We had blended learning in place, which made it an easier transition,” Anderson said. “Our scholars were well-prepared for this change.”
Anderson, in his fourth year teaching at Collegiate, balances the Flex Learning lessons with helping his two elementary school-aged children and earning a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from UNT-Dallas.
“I feel like I’m working more now than when I was on campus,” Anderson said. “I’m juggling everything at once. We miss out on classroom discussions where often a small question can turn into a larger discussion.”
As the Science Department Chair, he said Flex Learning has improved communication among the six teachers in his department. While in the past, there may have been more informal communications and meetings (when necessary), now communications is constant.
“I am-impressed with resolve in my department,” Anderson said “Although we’re physically separated, we’ve had more teamwork and problem solving now that we’re doing in person.
We are holding weekly, sometimes twice per week, department meetings. If one of us has an issue, the whole team is there to problem solve and help each other out.”
Anderson hopes that type of staff collaboration will continue when everyone returns to campus.
