Digital Learning Plan

Purpose

The purpose of Raleigh County Schools Digital Learning plan is to provide guidance to the district to ensure we are meeting the requirements set forth in WVDE Policy 2460- Educational Purpose and Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources, Technologies and the Internet. As a district, we are to prepare students to be globally aware, engaged with their communities, capable of managing their lives, and careers to succeed in a digital world. Technology should be integrated into the curriculum in a way that provides opportunities for students to be involved in developing their collaborative, critical thinking, and problem solving skills so that they are prepared for college or career. To prepare students to be successful, teachers shall provide students with opportunities to learn how to be self-sufficient lifelong learners. As defined by WVDE Policy 2460, "Learning powered by technology should enable students to achieve at higher academic levels, master digital content and technologies, access and manage information, communicate effectively, think critically, solve problems, work productively as individuals and collaboratively as part of a team, acquire new knowledge, access online assessment systems, and demonstrate personal accountability, productivity, and other self-directional skills." As the need for online learning increases, we have to provide professional learning to teachers so that they understand how to effectively design, develop, and deliver high quality instruction for online access. In addition, we must train our students and parents on how to access materials and resources online and be able to actively participate in class digitally.

Digital Learning

Digital learning is when teachers use technology to engage students in learning through varied instructional practices. Instructional practices such as blended learning, personalized learning, flipped learning, and other teaching strategies that use digital tools and platforms to engage and strengthen a student's learning experience and to ensure they have access to a high-quality education. Digital learning can occur in the traditionally, in labs, synchronous, and asynchronous.

Synchronous learning is when the teacher and students are learning together at the same time but in different locations, learning is not occurring in person or face-to-face. For example, Ms. ELA is teaching her Literature class online everyday at 9:00AM, Ms. ELA is located in her classroom at school and the students are located at home or at another location. Digital learning tools such as online video conference, webinars, discussions, and lectures are used to deliver information to students. The advantages of synchronous learning are the ability to connect with teachers and peers, discussions and feedback are immediate, teachers can check for understanding. The disadvantages of synchronous learning are rigid schedules, technical difficulties, and lack of access to the Internet.

Asynchronous learning occurs anywhere, any time, on the students schedule. Teachers provide students with units or modules where students are provided with resources, materials, discussion boards, and assignments for students to be able to learn on their own time. For example, teachers will create lessons that include reading assignments, watching a video(s), and assignments that students will need to complete and submit to the teacher for grading. To check for understanding, students will complete assessments so that they teachers can gauge if students understand the content covered. The disadvantages of asynchronous learning are risk of students not doing their work, waiting to the last minute to complete work, and isolation.

Learning Management Systems and Tools

Seesaw

Grades PreK-2

For grades PreK-2 Seesaw is the recommended platform for student assignments. Seesaw is hub that houses tools and resources that teachers may use for communication, teaching, and assessing online. Seesaw provides tools for students to create, reflect, share, and collaborate. Also, SeeSaw allows students to “show what they know” through the use of photos, videos, drawings, text, PDFs, and links. If you have not used SeeSaw before, learn how with Getting Started with SeeSaw. Teachers will post agenda and content for the following week by 2:00 PM on planning day.

Schoology

Grades-3-12

For grades 3-12 Schoology is the recommended platform for student assignments. Schoology will be the hub that houses tools and resources that teachers will use for communication, teaching, and assessing students understanding of concept. Schoology is a social networking service and virtual learning environment for K-12 school institutions, it allows users to create, manage, and share academic content. Teachers can message students, manage the assignment calendar and put new assignments. Schoology provides tools for students to create, reflect, share, and collaborate. If you have not used Schoology before, learn how with Getting Started with Schoology. Teachers will post agenda and content materials for the following week by 2:00 PM on planning day.

All Grades

Google Suite

Google Suite is a collection of tools such as Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms, Sites, Slides that enables educators and students to create, make, solve problems, and innovate. Google Suite is to be used as a tool within Schoology and SeeSaw. Google Suite tools allows students to create and collaborate to demonstrate what they have learned. Google Classroom is to be used in conjunction with Schoology. Teachers will post agenda and link to Google Classroom in Schoology. Principals are to be added to all Google classrooms.

Microsoft Office Suite

Microsoft is a collection of tools such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, etc. that enable educators and students to create, make, solve problems, and innovate. Microsoft Office Suite tools is to be used to create resources to post to Schoology and/or Seesaw.

When participating in videos be sure to follow these Video Etiquette Guidelines

Be on time.
Do not take your device into the restroom and be mindful of your surroundings.
Mute your microphone when you are not speaking.
Dress appropriately for students, don't look sloppy.
Remember, people can see you and what is behind you if your camera is on. Be sure the area in your camera view is neat and structured and you do not have any inappropriate items in the background.
Be respectful of others' time.
Look and speak into the camera and not the screen.
Watch your language please! When you have your microphone on, others can hear both you and those around you.
Before beginning your meeting, ensure your technology works correctly and lighting does not interfere with your camera.
Attention to detail is essential.

Online Communication with Students via Video Meetings

For all live virtual conferences teachers are expected to use Seesaw or Schoology to provide parents/students with the necessary information to join a virtual class. Do not post information on social media platforms or share with anyone who is not part of the class. For example, don't share the link with your best friend just so she can greet the children. The recommended video conferencing program is Microsoft Team. No matter what product is chosen, security guidelines must be followed to ensure the safety and security of all students.

As with any video conferencing software we must maintain privacy and security. To do this, follow these recommendations:

Lock the door to your virtual classroom once it starts.
Don’t share a link to a conference publicly.
Make sure screen sharing in set to "host only."
Enable a waiting room and the instructor decides who can come into the session.
Lock chat so that students can only communicate with the host.
Remove people who should not be in the room.
Require registration.
Use a random meeting ID.
Don’t make meetings public. Password-protect the classroom.
Allow only authenticated users to join.
Disable join before host.
Manage annotation.
Disable video.
Mute students.
Make sure you’re using the most up-to-date software.

Teachers will...

- 1. - post lesson assignments for availability to students through SeeSaw (grades Pk-2) or Schoology (grades 3-12) by 3:00 PM on planning day for the upcoming week or a day and time designated by the principal.
    - schedule online and phone office hours, appointments, and check-ins for those students in danger of failing, having attendance problems, and falling behind.
    - meet with the department/grade level, leadership team, meetings with principals, and content areas to plan on Friday.
    - collaborate with Special Education case managers to identify the appropriate digital layers to meet IEP service requirements.
    - communicate updates, changes, and other relevant information to my parents and students through SeeSaw or Schoology.
    - create opportunities where students can respond to me through Schoology or Seesaw messages.
    - schedule live video sessions with students as needed to provide support to students who are on remote learning time
    - create opportunities for students to collaborate online with the teacher being present.
    - keep up-to-date agendas, bell-ringers, information, worksheets, and course assignments posted to SeeSaw or Schoology course sites.
    - pre-record my discussion materials and share online with students.
    - set up course sessions via video to deliver live discussions.
    - share recorded videos, files, documents, and other resources with students either through Seesaw, Schoology, or on and iPad USB drive.

Communication

To communicate to students, schools are to use phone, postal mail, email, Schoology messages, Seesaw messages, Teams, school website, and Schoology/Seesaw class page. Schools may use social media to communicate updates to parents/guardians.

Technical Assistance

If you need technical assistance please complete an IncidentIQ ticket and the Technology Department will contact you. Be sure to include a contact phone number in the ticket so that we can give you a call back. In an emergency email the Tech of your building and then put in an IncidentIQ ticket. Click here for a list of Techs and their email addresses. For emergency immediate technical assistance call 304-256-4741 between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m Monday-Friday. Click here to submit a ticket. You will need your @raleighcountyschools.org email username and password to submit a ticket.