Concurrent Instruction

If you start your planning by creating asynchronous learning opportunities for students you are essentially prepared for any changes that may transpire. You can then focus on how to make the experience more meaningful and personal for the students that are coming into your classroom each day.

Check out this article from Education Week for additional planning ideas.

Although synchronous direct instruction might seem like the easiest way to make sure everyone is getting the information, it could quite possibly become the easiest way to ensure that no one really "gets" anything. Find ways to flip the direct instruction components so that any synchronous learning time is focused on active, engaging learning experiences.

Check out this Cult of Pedagogy article & podcast for more ideas.

• Prioritize your in-person time with students to include the experiences they will need the most support with.

• Leave time to conference with students and answer their specific questions to address student needs and build positive relationships.

• Move anything they can do without you to asynchronous formats and encourage them to bring questions to synchronous learning opportunities.

Look for opportunities in your curriculum where you can group students within each cohort to work collaboratively. Can the in-person student act as the spokesperson for the group while coordinating over Zoom with other students? This type of collaboration could help build a positive culture within your classroom and help remote students feel more connected.

It may not be necessary to have all of your students in a running Zoom meeting to have them participate synchronously with the learning. Use other collaborative tools like Google Docs, Slides, Jamboard, Schoology Discussions, Classkick, etc. to have students at home and in class share ideas in real time with Zoom or breakout rooms.

Find a beginning of class routine to give yourself time to take attendance, for students to settle in, and to add consistency for ALL students, regardless of where they are learning from.

When an “in-person” student asks a question, be sure to repeat the question before answering so the remote kids know what you are talking about.

Consider assigning a student to “monitor” the chat while you’re teaching so they can be sure the at-home students get their questions answered.

Students benefit from a brain break and physical movement every 15 to 20 minutes

Understand each student’s unique needs and circumstances; take a person-focused approach to teaching.

There are a lot of things that might interfere with a successful concurrent experience, have a plan if the technology and/or the instruction just isn't working.