Introduction
Introduction
Embedded Files
Each school district uses a unique schedule to best suit the needs of the student population. Building constraints, scheduling conflicts, and bus routes (among other things) impact the normal schedule of the school day. Thankfully, distance learning schedules are not tied to any of these obligations, and each schedule can be arranged to provide the best combination of daily class interaction, open office hours, synchronous and asynchronous learning, and a balanced workload.
Best Practices
Best Practices
Set Expectations; Keep it Simple
Post the structure of your schedule and the expectations for learning well in advance; ensure teachers have learning materials posted before the start of each academic week
Encourage Balance; 3-4 Hours of Work
Experience shows that a balanced home/work schedule is essential for student success. Create a schedule that promotes approximately 3-4 hours of work per day.
Schedule Dedicated Time for Live Class
Having a school-wide schedule that dictates when each teacher can host a live class ensures that synchronous classes won't overlap each other and put students in a bind.
Provide Open Office Hours
Creating a schedule that facilitates open office hours for every teacher encourages students to reach out for one-on-one help and provides opportunities to connect.
Resources
Resources
Feel free to use any of these resources to help your school/district in creating a schedule for learning that best suits the needs of your students during a period of distance learning. Each template, document, or presentation you find below can be copied and used for your own purposes with original credit attributed:
Distance Learning Schedule
Distance Learning Schedule
PMHS Distance Learning Schedule-Example
PMHS Distance Learning Schedule-Example
Spirit Week Schedule
Spirit Week Schedule
Zoom video tutorials-Zoom
Virtual education dilemma-Education Week
Teacher Training
Teacher Training
Check out the free training to prepare your staff for distance learning:
Create a Calendar Event
Create a Calendar Event
Add Appointment Slots
Add Appointment Slots
Tips for Successful Virtual Meetings
Tips for Successful Virtual Meetings
Low Tech Tips
Low Tech Tips
Prioritize Asynchronous Activities
Prioritize Asynchronous Activities
A schedule that prioritizes asynchronous activities allows students with limited device or internet access to participate intermittently and stay on track.
Make Resources Available Offline
Make Resources Available Offline
When possible, create an archive of resources that are available offline. Then, students with limited access can still complete work and access materials.
Keep the Schedule Balanced
Keep the Schedule Balanced
Out-of-balance schedules can create situations where students have 1-2 hours of work one day and 5-6 hours on another, causing stress and frustration.
Things to Consider
Things to Consider
Device Access
Device Access
If the schedule you create asks students to join live classes, does each student have access to a device, internet, a quiet working space, etc.?
Teacher/Student Ratio
Teacher/Student Ratio
If the schedule you create asks teachers to host live classes and keep open office hours, is that feasible given your district's teacher to student ratio?
Block vs Bell
Block vs Bell
What schedule will work best? Will a schedule with multiple bells per day maintain consistency or would a block schedule better facilitate distance learning?
Bright Spots
Bright Spots
Purcell Marian High School transitioned to a distance learning schedule the week of March 23, 2020. Before that date, a leadership team developed a block-based schedule that prioritized a balance between synchronous and asynchronous activities. Each bell period was assigned a dedicated block of time to meet synchronously with students via Hangouts Meet. The schedule also built in multiple opportunities for teachers to host open office hours with students and meet together in grade-level teams each week. Having set times for "live" class, open office hours, and grade-level meetings helped the students and staff seamlessly transition to distance learning and not skip a beat!
Best of all, the simple schedule allows students to focus on one or two subjects per day, have multiple opportunities to connect with teachers synchronously or asynchronously, and keep a balanced routine that consists of 3-4 hours of classwork per day. Having a block-based schedule prevents teachers from double-booking students in multiple "live" classes at once, sacrificing time to plan and collaborate with colleagues, and neglecting to connect with students on an individual basis.
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