Tips to Support Online Learning from EMSB's Educational Services
Here are some tips to help you manage learning online, click on the arrows to learn more.
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Maintain Relationships
Organize meetups with students online (and in the classroom if possible) and have a discussion about a given topic
Ask a question on Google Classroom or Teams that requires research. Ask the students to comment/respond online
Make time to meet/talk with students one on one, when possible
Create a collaborative article/story using collaborative features of Google Docs.
Try to plan as much as you can in advance as technology can be tricky.
Put all the documents in draft modes within your online classroom before you meet with your students.
Resource: 21 Social Distance-Friendly and Virtual Icebreakers Students Will Actually Have Fun With
Plan for Differentiation
A benefit of using an online space for your classroom is students can learn about the same concepts, but using various types of media.
Examples with a response-to-text activity:
Audio file: You may read a story excerpt
Audiovisual: Students may be able to view short films
E-book: Students are invited to read stories about a similar theme via the EMSB Virtual Library
Audiovisual: You could record yourself and read a story to them
Non-specific examples:
Narrated Slide presentation
Video of expert addressing a specific topic
Present concepts and explore them within MinecraftEdu
Live chat - Explicit teaching (try to talk for a maximum of 15-20 minutes at a time)
Maintain Engagement
Set a clear schedule for online meetings
As much as possible, have short meetings (10-20 min.) with a small group of 6-7 students at a time.
Keep your instructions short and specific - clear expectations
Foster a sense of belonging (at school and online as one group) - (Also see maintain relationships)
Scaffold the learning
Allow for multiple ways students can demonstrate their knowledge
Use the scheduling tools, avoid posting all assignments at once
Keep it organized - Ex. sections, folders, checklists, etc.
Offer Timely Feedback
Feedback can take many forms, it can be written, verbal or a combination thereof.
Audio recording of feedback on written text
Written annotations or comments in document
Screencast of concept explanation on tablet using screen recorder as a way to help students who misunderstood some elements
Share a video from a reputable source that explains what was missed to supplement your written or verbal feedback
One-on-one feedback or whole class feedback via video chat
Foster Good Digital Citizenship Habits
You can use the Digital Competency Framework to focus the elements to work on.
The Digital Literacy Framework from MediaSmarts offers lessons and resources.
Common Sense Media Education offers a variety of lessons for all levels. Keep in mind that any information related to copyright would not be aligned with the Canadian Copyright Act.
Here's an Example!
Teaching online
Learning in a classroom and online can be very different. When online, use direct instruction sparingly. It is recommended that the classwork be administered in small doses (maximum of 20 min). Try not to offer too much content and resources at once as it can overwhelm students. Keeping it simple is the best motto. Students shouldn't be in front of a screen all day.
There are many interesting digital tools out there, but technology alone is not a miracle cure. How you use a tool is more important than the tool itself. It’s a good idea to design learning situations where learners create content or solve problems. It’s better to have students actively engage with digital content than just absorb it.
Finally, it is strongly suggested that students interact with their peers from time to time. Nothing prevents group work online. At the EMSB, we have access to online tools that allow for collaborative work!
*Inspired from Favoriser l'interaction à distance
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