RTC Online Learning Tools
We have several options available to help you operate your classes in an Online Learning environment. Some are synchronous and some are asynchronous so you can choose the format for the class that works best for you, your participants, and the content you are delivering.
Below are descriptions of Synchronous and Asynchronous to help you decide:
Synchronous
The teacher and students are engaged at the same time like in a traditional classroom setting
- Students learn at the same time, similar to the physical classroom setting
- Communication between teachers and students happens in real time
- This method allows for instant feedback and guidance
Asynchronous
The material is available for the students to access and interact with at their own pace and on their own schedule. The teacher is a facilitator but may not be actively engaged at the same time as the students. In asynchronous learning, it is important for the teacher to establish a regular and established time when they will respond to questions the students have.
- Students set their own learning schedule
- Communication is not live, it is prerecorded
- Allows for more flexibility and convenience for the teacher and the students
- Allows students to work at their own pace
- Allows families to share resources as a time schedule can be established
Below are some of the tools available.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Greg Montague at stem@rockteach.org
Google Classroom
One of the main tools you will need is a management system which can be used to store and disseminate the information to your class. It is where your students will go to connect to the content of your course. This is a great tool for both synchronous and asynchronous teaching.
The Rockland Teachers' Center has its own GSuite for Education domain so we have the ability to create and facilitate Google Classroom. Google Classroom is a "private" place for you and your participants to interact.
In Google Classroom you can:
Post announcement
Create Assignments
Grade Assignments
Ask Questions (graded or ungraded)
Attach resource materials
Post links to various materials and resources
Insert Google Forms
Have a dialogue with members using the Stream
Google Meet
A new option that we have available is to use Google Meet. Meet is a live video conferencing platform for asynchronous education. You create a Google Meet either by opening the Meet app or by creating a calendar event and pulling the link from there. You then share the information with your students and at the time indicated, everyone will log into the Meet using the code provided.
Google meet allows for face-to-face communication between you and your class. The meeting can be recorded and is automatically saved in your Google Drive. You can even share your desktop with the participants as if you were presenting on the screen or monitor in the front of your classroom.
In Google Meet you can:
Have live conversations and video chats with your students
Present material from your desktop to all students
Use your webcam to give a demonstration that all of the students can watch and ask questions about in real time
Google Sites
Google Sites is another powerful tool that everyone has access to through the Rockland Teachers' Center Google domain. With Google Sites, you could manage your online instruction by posting the resources and materials your participants would need to complete their work. You can embed Google Forms to create assessments as well.
Google Sites allows you to post a variety of media such as text, images, and videos and it is very easy to link to other online resources. You can organize your online curriculum by using different pages to create a structured approach to the learning. Google Sites also provides a way to hide and show materials by activating and hiding the various pages from the navigation bar.
Google Sites is not designed to be a private location although it can be set up that way. You should be especially cautious that the materials that you post are not violating copyright regulations.
Zoom
Zoom is a live video conferencing platform for asynchronous education. You create a Zoom Meeting either by going to the Zoom Website or by creating a calendar event and pulling the link from there, assuming you have activated Zoom and linked it. You then share the information with your students and at the time indicated, everyone will log into the Zoom Meeting using the code provided.
Zoom allows for face-to-face communication between you and you class. You can even share your desktop to the participants as if you were presenting on the screen or monitor in the front of your classroom.
In Zoom you can:
Have live conversations and video chats with your students
Present material from your desktop to all students
Use your webcam to give a demonstration that all of the students can watch and ask questions about in real time
Zoom
Zoom is offering to temporarily remove the 40-minute time limit on Basic accounts. This is available for all schools that are affected by the coronavirus. To gain access for your school, click here.
Moodle
Please note - Moodle does not comply with Ed Law 2-d and sign off is needed.
Moodle is a learning platform designed to provide educators, administrators and learners with a single system to create online learning environments. Moodle is an asynchronous delivery method with the option to be set up by date or topic. There are message boards, activities, and other educational tools built in. The Rockland Teachers' Center has the ability to work with you to use Moodle as your course delivery system.
Tools to Use for Online Instruction
How do I get the Pear Deck for Google Slides Add-on?
How do I create a Pear Deck with Google Slides?
What are the 5 interactive question types?
How do I add questions to an existing presentation?
How do students join a pear deck session?
Pear Deck
Pear Deck is offering complimentary access to Pear Deck Premium, both individually and district-wide. Both links to request access can be found here.
Quick Introduction for Screencastify
How do I set up Screencastify?
Screencastify FREE Code
For individuals, Screencastify is offering a one-year subscription of Screencastify Unlimited. Click here and find the option to “Redeem coupon”. Enter the code CAST_COVID and click “Activate License”. No credit card is required and you should ignore the next billing date that will be incorrect.
