Hybrid Teaching Tips

1. Assign a designated ESP to your remote learner(s)

Have this ESP be responsible for checking in with the student(s) during lessons, facilitating their small groups, and supporting any technology questions that come up.

2. Divide your class into "pods"

Divide your students into small groups or "pods" to support social distancing as well as staffing. Group students who have similar learning and curricular needs. This way you will only need to plan for a remote learning integration for one of your student "pods." Assign specific ESPs to each pod.

3. Assign specific staff to each center or station

Have students (including both remote and in-person learners) rotate through centers or stations individually, in pairs, or small groups. Assign one staff member to each station so that they teach the same activity or lesson several times as each student or group rotates through.

1. Utilize a variety of groupings & UDL for student learning

Grouping remote and in-person students in a variety of ways throughout the day provides a diverse learning environment while also helping students learn in the most effective ways given the content and purpose. Our daily schedules should include: whole group, small group, 1:1 instruction, and independent work each day. Within different groupings, Univeral Design for Learning (UDL) stragegies ensure all learners have the tools necessary to be successful. For more information on grouping or UDL, contact one of your instructional coaches.

2. Include remote learners in daily classroom routines

Plan to include your remote learner(s) in as many whole-class routines as possible:

• Use Zoom on the Smartboard and a laptop facing the class, so that remote learners can see the in-person students and students in class can see their remote learning peers as well.

• Setup iPads/Chromebooks on desks where remote students normally sit, they are displayed on these devices via Zoom while learning from home. Teach to them along with in-person learners.

• For small group instruction between an in-person student and a remote student, use Zoom on devices with headphones for the in-school learner to connect with a remote peer.

Morning meetings, lunch, or leisure time are also nice opportunities to share time between remote and in-person learners. This will ensure the remote learners continue to be a part of the classroom community.

3. Use the "Station Rotation" model

The station rotation model, from Dr. Caitlin Tucker, does what the name suggests. There are a series of stations–or learning activities–and students rotate through them. Given current restrictions on movement and supply sharing in classrooms, students may not physically move, but rather progress through a series of learning activities – a) teacher-led station, b) online station, and c) offline station–in the same physical location.

Follow this link for more information and tips for using this model

4. Try the "Playlist" model for centers

The playlist model, from Dr. Caitlin Tucker, presents learners with a sequence of learning activities that they can self-pace through. Each student's list can be tailored to their individual needs and schedule. Playlists can include asynchronous and independent work for both remote and in-person learners (supported by ESPs or caregivers as needed) to free the teacher to work with individual learners.

Follow this link for more information and tips for using this model

This blog gives an even deeper dive into how to set up a learning playlist

5. Set "office hours" to meet with remote learners and caregivers

Provide consistent "office hours" for when you will be available to provide direct, synchronous instruction and support for your remote learner(s) and their families. You may have less availability and flexibility to meet with your remote learners as you transition to full in-person teaching with the rest of your class. Make sure to set aside time that you'll specifically be available for your remote learners (and have your ESPs or other classroom staff support in-person learners).

2. Google Workspace for Education

Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is a collection of collaboaration and communication tools that can be used both synchronously with in-person and remote learners and the teacher on Zoom or asynchronously. Students and staff can collaborate in real time with Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Sites, and Jamboard and because these are open-ended productivity tools, they can be customized for student learning. Use Google Meet, Chat, and Gmail to communicate with families, students, or staff from anywhere.

3. Nearpod

Nearpod is an interactive presentation tool that can be used both synchronously with in-person and remote via Zoom or asynchronously. Content can be enhanced with built-in tools to add video, audio, 3D models, and virtual reality, as well as interactive "checks for understanding", including: multiple choice questions, drawing, quiz, collaboration board, matching, and more. Here is an overview of how to use Nearpod.

4. Flipgrid

Flipgrid is a free educational platform that students and teachers can use to share short videos. Teachers share a prompt and students respond with a video. Flipgrid can be a great way to create asynchronous opportunities for students to “see” and interact with each other. Learn more about how to use Flipgrid here.

5. Seesaw

Seesaw is a home-school communication, learning, and assignment sharing platform for teachers, students, and families to connect. It can be used live via Zoom with in-person and remote students to instruct, or asynchronously for independent work. You can find more tips on using Seesaw here.

6. Boom Cards

Boom Cards are interactive activities that can be used to present content and/or as self-grading exercises that are gamified for students and provide data for teachers. This tool is open-ended so lessons can be individualized to meet student needs and can be used live with all learners via Zoom or shared for asynchronous work. You can find more tips on using Boom Cards in several past innovative learning weekly updates here.

7. SMART Learning Suite **coming soon**

SMART Learning Suite allows you to create engating lessons that students can interact with on a SmartBoard or their own devices, whether in-person or remote. Interactive activities can be created and/or customized for individual needs and ready-made resources are also available. Contact your Innovative Learning Coach for support in accessing this tool. Find more tips on using Smart Learning Suite here.