Distance Learning Resources

There are strategies for ensuring quality pedagogy when teaching in online environments. Teachers, please consult the recommendations found below and in our Reads & Research links, and/or reach out to your friendly OPDC team at BCIU to learn more about best practices! We're here to support you.

If you need guidance setting up an online learning environment in any LMS, learning how to make screencasts, or designing powerful online learning modules, BCIU's OPDC team can help. Please click here to schedule a time to chat with one of our team members.

Follow your district directives for assigning work during school closures. It will be beneficial to balance offering time with the exciting websites and services available with powerful offline learning options such as reading favorite books, exploring outside, building Legos, playing with siblings, cooking, helping with household chores, and having meaningful discussions with family. Pay particular attention to the social-emotional needs of students and try to create a learning environment that's as personal as possible.

While planning for distance learning, please also consider the levels of consistent, quality access all of your students have to computers, tablets, mobile devices, and Internet access in the home. Understand that not all students will have equitable access or opportunities to complete work assigned digitally. Further, many of our students will require specific modifications and accommodations to help them achieve success in online learning spaces.

1. Focus!

This is a great time to ask yourself: What do students truly need to know and do as a result of content explorations in my class? What are the big ideas and enduring understandings you want them to develop? What are the essential skills they should learn and practice? Plan a small number of powerful inquiries students could explore throughout the week.

2. Make it personal.

Check in on your students whenever possible. Some teachers are planning to send postcards, write emails, record hello videos, or add a personal message to a shared digital learning space to make sure students know we care, we're thinking of them during this time, and we want to support their learning as best we can!

3. Streamline resources.

As you probably noticed, the sheer amount of digital learning resources available is quite overwhelming! Consistency is key. Find a small handful of online tools and resources that really work for you and your students. Be sure students know where to go to find activities and assignments. Resist the urge to try every new tool & service that appears during this time - choose wisely. That being said, don't be afraid to try something new! You may learn a lot about you and your students as you dive into new experiences together.

4. Use informal assessments and allow student choice.

Rather than assign a grade for every single assignment, think of ways to have students summarize and share their learning in creative ways. From online practice activities and quiz/games to creation of screencasts and video summaries, students can create and share what they know and can do in ways that best meet their needs. Incorporate student choice when possible!

5. Encourage collaboration.

While outside of school, students will have access to a) The Google b) their peers c) their families and d) pretty much any information they can find at their fingertips. Embrace it! Don't insist that students "lock down" their learning. This is a great opportunity for students to think critically about the resources available online as well as when and how to use others to support learning.

6. Be available for questions and conversations!

Whether through virtual office hours, by setting up a Zoom or Google Meet room and inviting students to join you, via email, or by opening up discussion spaces in your LMS, your students will be thankful they know how to reach you during this time!

7. Most importantly... take care of you and yours!

Designing Meaningful Online Learning.pdf

For additional teacher support, please visit this page. You'll find strategies for online learning shared by practicing educators, sample lesson plans and ideas for incorporating student voice and choice, and resource collections.