The recent unprecedented winter storm in Texas cancelled classes at an interesting time — when many students were accustomed to (or at least familiar with) virtual education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A reporter for a story on the Texas Standard asked the question, are we in for ‘no more snow days?’
The reporter spoke with Curby Alexander, associate professor of professional practice in the College of Education, whose specialties include K-12 technology integration and digital communication. The answer to the future of snow days, he said, may lie in our technology investment.
“I think that this extreme storm hit at a time when we were already having to think about virtual learning,” Alexander said. “So it was easy for school administrations to say, you know, ‘let’s just deliver instruction virtually.’”
However, he speculates that as time passes, families may not stay committed to the home technology needs that were necessary during the pandemic, therefore making virtual learning more difficult.
Alexander also said that, overall, teachers and students want to be in school.
“I would say more often I’ve heard stories of students and their families who are eager to get back in school,” he said.
Read more and hear the interview on Texas Standard.