Just for MVUSD Teachers

4 steps to engage students in online Distance learning

STEP 1: Set up a Google Classroom, Class Dojo, or Shmoop Classroom (Shmoop is only grades 3 to 12) and invite your students to join or provide students with the classroom code so they can join (see video or click on link below). This platform provides teachers with an easy way to assign assignments, have students submit assignments, and progress monitor the students that have submitted the assignments and the ones that have not.

Also, Class Dojo is a great communication tool since it works like a text message or notification on the phone, which families are familiar with. Use Class Dojo to tell your students and parents, "Hey, check out your Google Classroom for the latest assignment".

'HOW TO' VIDEOS on how to create your lessons: CLICK HERE FOR HOW TO RECORD YOUR LESSONS & CREATE ASSIGNMENTS TO SEND OUT THROUGH GOOGLE CLASSROOM, Class Dojo, or SHMOOP

STEP 2: Through ZOOM or Google Hangout Meet Set up office hours during the day (2 to 4 times per week) and provide the ZOOM link or Google Hangout Meet code to your students via Google Classroom or Class Dojo. Once students join in (computer or phone), they can ask questions about the assignments you posted in Google Classroom. (Click here for suggested 1-2-3 Lesson Design)

Teachers, the following are Best Practices for a successful Zoom or Google Hangout Meet experience:

• Set norms with students

• Share codes privately, not publicly

• Utilize privacy options

  • Change background to virtual options to provide privacy

• Be mindful of professional conduct standards

STEP 3: Access Core Curriculum Resources to create digital assessments (through Google Forms, Illuminate, Nearpod, TEXTBOOK CURRICULUM, etc.) or Paper/Pen Assessments and provide your students with a set time to complete the assessment. Use ZOOM to see your students completing the digital or paper/pencil assessment (see their face and hands). For paper/pen assessments, once students have completed the assessment, have them take a picture of the assessment and share it with you via Google Drive or upload to Class Dojo.

Assessments are a great way to provide students with feedback so they can improve their grades. During these COVID-19 times, assessment are not to hurt a student's grade, only to help his/her grade.

Please Note: Assessments can be authentic: Projects, performances, PBLs, Blogs, Vlogs and more!

STEP 4: Keep record of the assignments and assessment in Q (online grade book) or Illuminate Gradebook for ongoing communication with students and families. If you don't have a Q grade book or Illuminate, you may create an individual Google Sheet for each students and share it with the students and parents (VIEW ONLY) so they can keep track of their child's progress or keep a gradebook in Shmoop.