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After a yearlong crash course in digital tools and remote teaching, a teacher reflects on what will stick in her brick-and-mortar classroom.

Cavan Images / Alamy Stock Photo

For some students, virtual school has been a boon: They feel less anxious, have more quiet time to work and reflect, and feel empowered to design their own schedules. Online learning has freed students to contribute their voices in new ways and has improved teachers' efficiency by transforming previously dead time-when students are waiting for the teacher to introduce the next learning task-into time in which students can exercise increased freedom and choice.

Going forward, here's how I plan to harness virtual school observations to support more differentiated instruction and increased student agency.

Rethink the Daily Agenda

A virtual agenda, inspired by my colleague, has become a cornerstone resource in my English classrooms, and its benefits have persuaded me to keep it around when we return to in-person learning.

Instead of a static daily agenda written on the board, create a digital agenda for the unit that includes each day's lesson outline, relevant hyperlinks, the rationale for each activity, and homework. Practice the routine of accessing and following the agenda each day in class, and remind students to refer to it at home to avoid that sinking "Wait, what did we do today?" feeling.

A living agenda-one that is updated every day-supports self-paced learning, allowing students to move on when they are ready, rather than waiting for everyone else to finish. Moreover, because a virtual agenda allows streamlined access to all unit materials, students can see clearly how their learning builds. It also supports conferencing, allowing teachers to refer students to previous materials to help them fill gaps or to offer a refresher of a lesson from weeks earlier.

Re-create the Chat

We have learned how to use the Zoom chat to engage and hear from quieter students, assess understanding, solicit quick feedback, and check in one-on-one. These powerful modes of communication and connection underscore the need to make space in our physical classrooms for back-channel engagement.

Using tools like Mentimeter or Google Docs, or even chart paper and whiteboards (bonus if kids must move in order to join the conversation), make it routine for students to engage nonverbally with the material and their classmates. Ask students to respond to others' ideas during or after discussion, synthesize lesson concepts after direct instruction, or echo important moments or beautiful language from their reading.

If more students want to contribute to discussion than time allows, use the chat space as a parking lot to capture ideas you'll return to later.

Build In and Leverage Mindful Breaks

Remote learning has made breaks nonnegotiable, and there's no reason why we should abandon those benefits simply because of a change in environments.

Make breaks a given, especially for longer instructional blocks, and vary preplanned synchronous breaks with providing students a choice of when to take their break. Review and practice break norms (avoid breaks in the first 20 minutes of class, for instance), and assign accountability tasks to complete before or after a break.

If some lessons don't lend themselves to student-selected break times, transition back from a group break by building community, perhaps asking students get-to-know-you questions or playing a brief round of content-specific trivia, or ask students to report back from their accountability task as you transition into the lesson's next segment.

A break during class opens up possibilities for teachers too: Check work to catch misunderstandings, review submitted homework to form readiness groupings, or pause to reflect on the lesson so far and adjust for the next class. Or, take an actual break with the students, modeling screen-free mindfulness.

Split Whole-Group Discussions in Half

Student-driven, full-group discussion centered on shared texts is an English classroom staple. Zoom breakout rooms have presented an opportunity to break the class in half; discussions have become more intimate, with more room for students to speak multiple times as the conversation gains momentum-and less room to hide if they aren't prepared.

When you return to physical classrooms, assign half of the class a quiet, independent task to complete while the other half engages in discussion; then switch. Perhaps allow some non-discussing students to locate a quiet spot outside if they find the other group distracting (and equip them with a clear deliverable task and a timer), or offer the non-discussion group the option to use headphones to focus on their work so that any neighboring discussion is in the background.

Solicit Student Feedback

Remote learning has found many teachers eager to know what's going on behind those small squares of students on their screens. In online learning contexts, more frequent solicitation of student feedback on learning pace, methods and modality, and homework load has proven critical to supporting both learning and students' mental health. This feedback can be gathered through surveys, as well as informal check-ins and polls. What better way to send the message that we value students' agency in our classrooms than by asking them how it's going, regardless of the learning context?

Use students' survey responses to help guide instruction both during and after a unit. Whether you are virtual or in person, these surveys underscore that you and students are partners in this invigorating but unpredictable journey that we call learning.

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After a yearlong crash course in digital tools and remote teaching, a teacher reflects on what will stick in her brick-and-mortar classroom. Cavan Images / Alamy Stock Photo For some students, virtual school has been a boon: They feel less anxious, have more quiet time to work and reflect, and feel empowered to design their own schedules.

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The best way to understand what kids are thinking is to ask kids themselves. So, to predict the biggest kids trends for 2021, we turned to the experts.

2021 means the end of an unprecedented year for kids. But what does the new year have in store?

PopJam is our content-sharing platform for kids ages 7-12, where they can play, create, and game in a moderated digital community. We don't collect any personal information on PopJammers, but we ask questions and listen to our community to gain important insights. Every year, we ask PopJammers to share their predictions for the year ahead to get a better sense of the emerging platforms and trends that will resonate best with young audiences.

What kids trends did kids predict for 2020?

Last year, kids predicted the following kids trends:

VSCO girls (and tribes)

TikTok and gaming, with a focus on Roblox and iPhones.

There were also some mentions of Gacha, Disney+, Harry Potter, Instagram, and climate change.

The kids are all right, but nobody expected a global pandemic- and their 2021 predictions have been dramatically affected by what they experienced this year.

What do kids expect to be the biggest kids trends in 2021?

Gaming

Not surprisingly, Among Us reigns supreme as the biggest predicted kids trend for 2021. The game is already huge and remains popular with kids, who create Among Us-themed artwork, as well as consume memes and influencer content. There is also much discussion about Among Us 2 arriving in 2021, which will likely create continued buzz throughout the year.

Gaming hit, Among Us, remains popular with kids.

Kids also think that Roblox will remain popular, and recent updates to Adopt Me! (PopJammers' favorite game, alongside Piggy) have kept kids excited. Fortnite and Minecraft also received multiple mentions this year.

Roblox continues to keep kids entertained and excited.

It's not a new concept that kids love gaming. But this year, during lockdowns and quarantine periods, multiplayer games have also become social experiences and digital playgrounds.

Covid-19

Covid-19 had a massive impact on kids' lives, so it makes sense that it is top of mind for them this year. When reflecting on Covid-19 as a trend, kids mostly discuss just that: how it has affected everything from day-to-day life to schooling. Top mentions included masks, social distancing, lockdown, and homeschooling. Some kids also anticipate that 2021 will include many memes and jokes about Covid-19.

It's not surprising that Covid-19 remains top of mind with kids, as it has greatly impacted their lives.

Masks are the most iconic part of Covid-19 for kids; we see this represented in the characters they draw, and the art they make, as well as the amount of times masks were mentioned as a prediction for 2021. Kids also expressed an interest in masks that match their outfits, have patterns, or are created by designer brands.

Masks are the most iconic part of Covid-19 for kids.

Kids imagine that life after Covid-19 will mean seeing family and friends and returning to school. They also think it will mean freedom, holidays, vacations, stores opening, and catching up on all of the events that were missed in 2020, especially birthdays. Some kids predict further lockdowns or a new virus, and others don't expect immediate changes (even with vaccines mentioned).

Social and video content

TikTok is predicted to once again be an impactful kids trend in 2021. Kids know that TikTok is a specific platform for watching videos and being social, but it's also the place where trends are created and amplified. On the platform, they can get inspiration for hacks, crafts and DIY activities, products, or new dance routines. Influencers The Norris Nuts and Flamingo were also mentioned by kids as likely to be trending in 2021.

Being social is important for kids and adults alike, but it was especially critical during periods of isolation due to coronavirus restrictions. It's worth noting that TikTok isn't an age appropriate platform for under 13s, which highlights the importance of moderated, safe spaces for kids online to connect, create, and socialize.

Additional kids trends

PopJammers are smart when it comes to answering questions about the future, as some predictions are easier to make than others. Many kids say the biggest kids trends will be new games, new apps, new songs, and new TikTok dances. iPhones 13 and 15 also received mentions, as kids know yearly update events take place (especially because new phones increase the chances of older phones moving through the family).

Other notable mentions include:

The new President of the United States

Anime

Scrunchies (related to the VSCO tribe trend)

Flying cars (we get this every year-it's the pinnacle of predicting the future)

Aliens

Gacha also remains incredibly popular and it's predicted that popularity will continue into 2021, having now become its own aesthetic/edited artform. Additionally, talking about 2020 has been mentioned as a trend for 2021, with many kids firmly sold on the fact it was such a disastrous year that we'll constantly reference it even in the new year.

No matter what 2021 has in store, it's clear that kids will hope to make up for lost time and see their friends and family. But this might not happen for a while - in the meantime, they'll continue to engage and discover online. Brands must connect with them appropriately and sensitively on safe, non-toxic platforms.

PopJam's highly-engaged kids audience gives us a direct insight into the trends emerging in the lives of kids globally. Our monthly PopJam Kids Trends Report deep-dives into a series of questions.

For more trends like these, sign up below to receive our monthly Kids Trends Report.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The most important 2021 kids trends: predicted by kids - SuperAwesome

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The best way to understand what kids are thinking is to ask kids themselves. So, to predict the biggest kids trends for 2021, we turned to the experts. PopJam is our content-sharing platform for kids ages 7-12, where they can play, create, and game in a moderated digital community.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The best way to understand what kids are thinking is to ask kids themselves. So, to predict the biggest kids trends for 2021, we turned to the experts.

2021 means the end of an unprecedented year for kids. But what does the new year have in store?

PopJam is our content-sharing platform for kids ages 7-12, where they can play, create, and game in a moderated digital community. We don't collect any personal information on PopJammers, but we ask questions and listen to our community to gain important insights. Every year, we ask PopJammers to share their predictions for the year ahead to get a better sense of the emerging platforms and trends that will resonate best with young audiences.

What kids trends did kids predict for 2020?

Last year, kids predicted the following kids trends:

VSCO girls (and tribes)

TikTok and gaming, with a focus on Roblox and iPhones.

There were also some mentions of Gacha, Disney+, Harry Potter, Instagram, and climate change.

The kids are all right, but nobody expected a global pandemic- and their 2021 predictions have been dramatically affected by what they experienced this year.

What do kids expect to be the biggest kids trends in 2021?

Gaming

Not surprisingly, Among Us reigns supreme as the biggest predicted kids trend for 2021. The game is already huge and remains popular with kids, who create Among Us-themed artwork, as well as consume memes and influencer content. There is also much discussion about Among Us 2 arriving in 2021, which will likely create continued buzz throughout the year.

Gaming hit, Among Us, remains popular with kids.

Kids also think that Roblox will remain popular, and recent updates to Adopt Me! (PopJammers' favorite game, alongside Piggy) have kept kids excited. Fortnite and Minecraft also received multiple mentions this year.

Roblox continues to keep kids entertained and excited.

It's not a new concept that kids love gaming. But this year, during lockdowns and quarantine periods, multiplayer games have also become social experiences and digital playgrounds.

Covid-19

Covid-19 had a massive impact on kids' lives, so it makes sense that it is top of mind for them this year. When reflecting on Covid-19 as a trend, kids mostly discuss just that: how it has affected everything from day-to-day life to schooling. Top mentions included masks, social distancing, lockdown, and homeschooling. Some kids also anticipate that 2021 will include many memes and jokes about Covid-19.

It's not surprising that Covid-19 remains top of mind with kids, as it has greatly impacted their lives.

Masks are the most iconic part of Covid-19 for kids; we see this represented in the characters they draw, and the art they make, as well as the amount of times masks were mentioned as a prediction for 2021. Kids also expressed an interest in masks that match their outfits, have patterns, or are created by designer brands.

Masks are the most iconic part of Covid-19 for kids.

Kids imagine that life after Covid-19 will mean seeing family and friends and returning to school. They also think it will mean freedom, holidays, vacations, stores opening, and catching up on all of the events that were missed in 2020, especially birthdays. Some kids predict further lockdowns or a new virus, and others don't expect immediate changes (even with vaccines mentioned).

Social and video content

TikTok is predicted to once again be an impactful kids trend in 2021. Kids know that TikTok is a specific platform for watching videos and being social, but it's also the place where trends are created and amplified. On the platform, they can get inspiration for hacks, crafts and DIY activities, products, or new dance routines. Influencers The Norris Nuts and Flamingo were also mentioned by kids as likely to be trending in 2021.

Being social is important for kids and adults alike, but it was especially critical during periods of isolation due to coronavirus restrictions. It's worth noting that TikTok isn't an age appropriate platform for under 13s, which highlights the importance of moderated, safe spaces for kids online to connect, create, and socialize.

Additional kids trends

PopJammers are smart when it comes to answering questions about the future, as some predictions are easier to make than others. Many kids say the biggest kids trends will be new games, new apps, new songs, and new TikTok dances. iPhones 13 and 15 also received mentions, as kids know yearly update events take place (especially because new phones increase the chances of older phones moving through the family).

Other notable mentions include:

The new President of the United States

Anime

Scrunchies (related to the VSCO tribe trend)

Flying cars (we get this every year-it's the pinnacle of predicting the future)

Aliens

Gacha also remains incredibly popular and it's predicted that popularity will continue into 2021, having now become its own aesthetic/edited artform. Additionally, talking about 2020 has been mentioned as a trend for 2021, with many kids firmly sold on the fact it was such a disastrous year that we'll constantly reference it even in the new year.

No matter what 2021 has in store, it's clear that kids will hope to make up for lost time and see their friends and family. But this might not happen for a while - in the meantime, they'll continue to engage and discover online. Brands must connect with them appropriately and sensitively on safe, non-toxic platforms.

PopJam's highly-engaged kids audience gives us a direct insight into the trends emerging in the lives of kids globally. Our monthly PopJam Kids Trends Report deep-dives into a series of questions.

For more trends like these, sign up below to receive our monthly Kids Trends Report.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The most important 2021 kids trends: predicted by kids - SuperAwesome

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The best way to understand what kids are thinking is to ask kids themselves. So, to predict the biggest kids trends for 2021, we turned to the experts. PopJam is our content-sharing platform for kids ages 7-12, where they can play, create, and game in a moderated digital community.

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-KAGAN!!!
-Not a strategy but I miss hugs!
-Good old fashioned paper and pencil