Delivering Online Learning

Best Practices

When making the decision to move to online learning there are best practices to consider. These include dissemination of materials, time management, expectations for teacher, parent, and students .

"The job of an online teacher is the job of an offline teacher is the job of a teacher. Connect to people and help them to feel connected to you and to the dimension of the world you are leading them to experience." (A Letter to Educators Teaching Online for the First Time)

Learning Forward - Teaching in an Online Environment Webinar

Communication is Key:

Clear communication to Staff, Students, and Parents is very important.

• Follow your districts guidelines and protocol for communication

• Communication should include: the goals/objectives students are working toward, the support systems, available and the work that needs to be completed.

• Communicate simply.

Take Time to Plan, Organize Materials, and Sequencing:

• Check out Alison Yang's (From KIS International Learning School) Online Learning Guidelines- O.R.E.O- Objective, Responsibility, Expectations, Organization

• Global Online Academy's guidance for Best Practices in Online Learning offers key points for consideration.

• BetterLesson tips and resources document highlights the top eight questions you should consider before facilitating online learning.

• Lessons should have the same format . Like this example from Alison Yang.

• Less is usually more in an online lesson activities. Be specific about tasks and requirements, Think about providing a weekly student/parent overview checklist.

• ISTE recommends:

  • Breaking learning into smaller chunks

  • Be clear in your expectation for online participation

  • To keep students motivated and moving forward provide frequent feedback via online knowledge checks, chats, emails , or assignment comments

  • Consider utilizing virtual meetings, live chats, or video tutorials

• Utilize Alison Yang's Online Teaching@ KIS: Do This Not That! graphic as your online teaching parameters.

Time:

• Assignments completed at home may take longer. In light of that you should prioritize what you want your students to complete. Focus on what is essential.

• In assigning videos, limit the length of the video to keep student engagement. As a rule of thumb, keeping videos to 3-5 minutes is best.

Be Mindful of Social-Emotional Needs:

• Check in with your students to see how they are doing. Give them opportunities to share.

• Be the same personality that you are in your Face-to-Face classroom. Look at this article from Arizona State University on Instructor Presence in Online Classroom