What is Synchronous Learning?

Synchronous learning is when students are participating in learning at the same time through conferencing technology.

How Do We Engage in Synchronous Learning?

Synchronous learning may take the form of a live discussion, live chat room, phone conference, or video conference. Synchronous learning tools can be Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and/or teleconference.

Why is Synchronous Learning Important?

Benefits of synchronous learning include:

• Students can ask questions in real-time.

• Students feel a greater sense of community and connection to their peers when they all learn together. This is especially important during physical distancing.

• Students become more engaged in their learning.

• Students feel a stronger sense of collaboration.

• Communication is two way and immediate.

Educator Guidelines

Grades K -6

Synchronous learning is not required. However, if educators wish to provide some synchronous learning they may do so providing parents agree. Educators may want to consider a virtual read-aloud, and check-ins with the class. Please discuss with your principal. If you choose to incorporate synchronous learning, follow the safety and privacy guidelines below.

Grades 7 & 8

Synchronous learning opportunities are recommended. If you choose to incorporate synchronous learning, follow the safety and privacy guidelines below.

Grades 9-12

Synchronous learning opportunities are required once per week per class. Synchronous learning sessions should range from 30 to 60 minutes. Synchronous opportunities are invitational for students. Sessions should not be for teaching new material. Sessions should focus on reviewing material and addressing student questions. They may be conducted using video, audio or teleconferencing. Follow the safety and privacy guidelines below.

Security and Privacy Tips

• Do not post meeting links on a public space like Facebook, or a Website. Keep these private so outsiders cannot join your meeting. Send invites directly to e-mail addresses.

• If the options exists to password protect your meeting, do so.

• Insist that students join with their real names.

• Scan your participant list periodically to ensure only class members are in the meeting.

• Carefully control screen sharing. Setup your controls so only the educator can share screens.

• Provide students with choice if they want to turn their video on or not. It is okay for students to join with audio only. If students use video, they should blur their backgrounds in Teams or use a Virtual Background in Zoom.

• If using video, blur your background. In Teams you can blur your background, and in Zoom you can use a virtual background.

• Be aware of everything in the field of view of your camera.

• Participants should be muted at all time, unless they are sharing.

• Zoom specific features. You can lock your meeting once it has begun, preventing additional people from joining. Use the waiting room feature. Participants wait in a virtual waiting room until you review each participant and admit them to the meeting. Zoom also allows you to turn off private chat, so students cannot chat privately with anyone. They can only chat in the public chat portion of the meeting. Zoom also allows you to turn off participants’ microphone and video.

Teaching Tips

· Tell students what to expect. Send an email prior to the session so students know the agenda.

· Keep the sessions relevant and focused on what students are doing in their asynchronous work. These sessions should be for review and check-ins.

· Ask students to come with one question that they are wondering about.

· Do a quick social check-in at the beginning of class. Instead of leaving an awkward silence while students are arriving, use the opportunity to chat. Ask students what’s new and interesting in their lives, what their weekend plans are, etc. Just as in a physical classroom, some chitchat helps to break down social barriers while creating the expectation of interaction.

· Pose a question and give participants a moment to write. This is a way to keep students accountable and set expectations of contributing to the chats. Consider a thought-provoking question to engage students.

· Outline expectations around active participation and appropriate interaction. Remind students about being responsible digital citizens. Language should be appropriate. All comments should be polite and respectful. If using video, attire should be appropriate as should the working location. Have expectations that microphones are muted when they are not speaking. Suggest that they use headphones if possible to decrease chances of feedback. You should post these norms at the start of every synchronous session.

· Explicitly teach students how to use the features of the tool. Teach them how to mute and mute their microphone. Teach them how to turn on and off their video. Teach them how to share their screen, if that is going to be an expectation. Show them how to use the chat feature. Also explain how to blur their background in Zoom or Teams if you are using those tools. Show them how to raise their hand, if the tool has this feature.

· Use earphones with a microphone if available. Reduces background noise when speaking.