You’ve probably had resources for remote learning all but thrown at you over the last couple of weeks with the reality that’s hit much of K-12 education. While there’s no specific formula for creating successful distance learning, there are at least strategies for educators who have found themselves thrust into this new role without having much time to prepare. Thankfully, technology tools can help make the transition run at least somewhat smoothly for the countless teachers who are taking on yet another role. Just remember that plenty of teachers leverage online learning 100 percent of the time, so it’s possible to net a positive experience as long as you approach it with an open mind and the without the fear of failing!
When it comes to the now huge topic of distance learning, so much information has been flying around. It’s tough but important for educators to consume facts that are relevant to their individual situations and try to block out some of the noise that might be irrelevant. Distance learning experiences also won’t be the same from teacher to teacher. Some will likely have access to online learning tools or even video platforms while others might simply be sending out worksheets through email.
One of the things we can recommend to educators—whatever subject you may be teaching—is to try to keep the pedagogical approach that defines your teaching the same. Finding remote learning tools that complement the teaching style you’re used to employing and the one that your students recognize is going to usually be more effective than taking the time to force a new approach onto your students just because it fits better with the technology you want to use.
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Ideally, this would involve a video conferencing platform, like Zoom or Google Hangouts, which are both accessible on computers as well as mobile devices. We know that access isn’t always guaranteed for every child at home, but their parents might also be home, allowing their phone or laptop to be used (like we said, it will not be perfect since parents are probably also working from home and need these devices).
You’ve probably also received a ton of emails or seen a bevy of social media messages about educational platforms that can still be leveraged in this unique situation. You might have even gotten excited about one or two of them, but are facing certain security questions or other doubts from school or district technology departments. Remember that parents may be stressing out as well—about finding the time to let their kids use family technology devices or how they’re possibly going to fit in becoming their child’s teacher on top of their other responsibilities.
Simply being transparent with parents about what to expect can truly go a long way. Accurate communication may be more important than quick communication and it’s probably okay to provide vague responses before you have a definite answer. Acknowledging that it will be a learning experience for you as well as each student is also okay.
Some things will be similar to the routines teachers have developed throughout their careers, however, and that includes lesson planning to some extent. Teachers are required to create a lesson plan for each of their daily classes, so simply moving those online should be somewhat easy. However you’re communicating assignments to students during their absence from school, it should be as simple as posting those lesson objectives in a place where every student (or parent) can see them. They should include the same objectives that they would in person, maybe some warm-up questions to get started, any reading that needs to be done, and assignments for students to complete.
Besides technology access, teachers conducting remote learning also need to remember tech proficiency levels in students. It might be easy to gravitate towards any remote learning activity you come across, but some students might not have the experience to create an in-depth video on their own, for example. One option for early elementary students we heard is using the school’s Facebook page for live video. Teachers could read a story aloud to the whole class and then send along additional resources for them to work on after the fact, including worksheets or writing prompts.
For students who are able to work a bit more independently, digital production tools are a great option. We’ve talked about them already and chances are you’ve probably already read something about at least one of them since everything started shifting last week. Some of the best tools for connected, independent, trackable learning include Seesaw, Flipgrid, and Screencastify among others.
They allow students to get that exposure to creating personal content, help keep their creativity stimulated, and help them stay connected through technology. Flipgrid and Seesaw are both available on mobile devices as well as desktops while Screencastify is a Chrome extension, so it’s available on the web. But, like we said, it’s not optimal to try to force any of these into instruction if they’re not aligned with your goals or don’t complement your style.
In some cases, it’s possible to combat access equity issues if you can plan ahead, which we know doesn’t accurately describe too many of the teachers currently faced with this problem. If your school has a handful of laptops that could be spared, for example, surveying parents as to who might need them is one option. If students don’t have access to reliable Internet at home (or any Internet at all), schools or districts may be able to purchase hotspot equipment to send home with students. These devices could also be distributed during an allotted pick-up period or, if necessary and feasible, delivered to students’ homes by someone in the administration.
Once digital learning practices are put in place, it’s imperative that teachers establish a daily routine that students can pick up quickly and stick to. They need this kind of structure in general (especially younger students) and it becomes all the more important in the distance learning situations many educators are currently facing. Teachers should set clear expectations about when students need to be logged in, when (or if) one-on-one time with teachers will occur, and how to structure breaks so that kids aren’t staring at a screen for too long.
Related Reading: 10 Strategies for Online Learning During a Coronavirus Outbreak—ISTE
Finally, it’s key to provide learning that’s as robust as possible. If students aren’t engaged, there’s little chance the online learning will work. Some of the best ways to maximize engagement is to break learning into smaller chunks, be clear about participation expectations, provide feedback as quickly as possible, and incorporate live communication when possible to keep the human connection students get when in the classroom.
A lot is changing and we don’t know when it will all go back to normal. We also know that teachers now probably have even more on their plates to try to provide the same kind of education experience for each of their students. Just remember this: There are people who are trained to handle situations like this and they are providing as many resources, pieces of content, and trainings as possible for teachers and school leaders to use.
Webinars are sprouting up by the second and a valuable one for school leaders to consider attending is this Friday March 20 at 2 pm ET. It will be hosted by Stephen Noonoo and cover the move to online classes, creating digital learning plans, and how to best communicate during this time. We encourage you to register if you would like and be sure to follow our updates on Twitter, Instagram, and through our newsletter to stay well-informed during this time.