• 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.

• Start the lesson with a brief personal question and use the chat box for doing a "waterfall' of answers. You can ask what is their favorite sport, if they have a pet, what did they have for breakfast, etc.

• 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

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)

Key Questions to Consider When Planning Lessons

• • 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.

  • Provide short 5-minute breaks to allow them to get up.

  • Change it up! When possible, add an interactive activity or video. 

  • Add an element of surprise, when possible by announcing an upcoming fun activity.

  • Use the chat box for doing a "waterfall" of answers

  • Use the chat box for verifying their learning:

    • Simply ask them to respond in the chat with a one-word answer

    • Ask them to type a number indicating their understanding from 5 to 1. 5 if they understand fully and 1 if they don't understand.

  • 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.

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

• You can use the Digital Competency Framework to focus on the elements to work on.

• Digital Competency in Action  -  resources

• 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.

• Parent's Digital Citizenship Tips

• Open School Digital Competency Framework

• Online Learning Netiquette Posters