Remote Learning for Teachers
This page is intended to inform, prepare, and help teachers implement remote learning. Please note that the following are suggestions on tools and resources you can use to ensure our students have a continuous learning experience during this school dismissal period.
Tools You Can Use
Zoom Video Conferencing
Zoom is a video conferencing platform that you can use to connect with students. During this school dismissal, it is important to find ways to virtually interact with students so they can see and hear you, just like they would in class. Zoom provides this in an easy to use platform that you can use to present and record live lessons or have "office hours" so students can drop in and ask questions.
Below you will find resources that will walk you through getting your Zoom account set up, launching Zoom through Clever, and scheduling a meeting.
How to launch Zoom from Clever
How to schedule a meeting using Zoom
How to add a Zoom meeting to Google Calendar
Explore some of the features in while in a Zoom meeting
How to adjust your overall settings in Zoom
Using Zoom Breakout Rooms
The meeting host can split the meeting in up to 50 separate sessions. The host is able to separate participants manually or automatically and is able to switch between breakout rooms. Please click on the doc to the right for more details and step by step directions to set this up.
Please note that to launch a Zoom meeting on a Mac or PC, you need to download the app when prompted. For students on a Chromebook, the Zoom extension has been pushed out to students. Remind them to use their @stu.rowlandschools.org accounts.
For more help with Zoom, check out their offerings of live webinars
Organizational Ideas
It is important to create a structure to keep your students organized if we experience an extended remote learning situation. Consider the following ideas to help your students stay on top of their learning:
- Create a Google Doc or Google Slide deck to list all assignments for students (for ease of use, put newest assignments at the top of the Doc or on the first slide of the slide deck). Post this in your preferred online learning platform (ie. Google Classroom or Seesaw)
- Here is a sample Google Doc that you can make a copy of and tweak to meet you and your students' needs
- Here is an article on using Google Slides for distance learning
- Add links to all frequently used tools to Clever so students can have instant access to what they need
- If you need help on utilizing Clever, check out the resources on this website
- Consider posting a daily schedule in your online hub so students know what to expect. If possible, try to be as consistent with your schedule as you can.
Communication
In a remote learning experience, communication is key to ensure students and families know the expectations for learning. The follow are some examples of ways you can continue communicating with all necessary stakeholders should the need arise.
Gmail
Use with 7-12 grade students to communicate daily assignments, reminders, updates, etc.
Use with colleagues to collaborate on designing learning experiences for students
Google Classroom
Use the stream to post daily announcements
Use the private comments feature to communicate to individual students
Turn on guardian summaries to ensure parents stay in the know about what assignments are due for their child(ren)
Seesaw
Use student announcements to post daily information for students
Use family announcements to ensure parents stay in the know about what tasks and assignments you have posted for their child(ren)
Flipgrid
Use Flipgrid to record videos for students and families
Setup a Q&A topic in each class where all students can see & hear other students' questions & your replies
Setup a moderated office hours grid (& topic) where you can respond individually to students
Tips & Resources
Consider the following tips to make a remote learning situation run smoothly and effectively for you, students, and families:
- Collaborate with your colleagues by creating a grade level or department/course alike Google Classroom where everyone is a teacher. This will allow you to crowd source content and lesson ideas you can later present to students.
- Use the Nearpod library to access standards-based lessons for your students (be sure to use student-paced mode so students can complete their work independent of you).
- Keep lines of communication open for students and families while maintaining as close to your regular schedule as possible.
- Again, less is more. Don't feel like you need to use every technology tool out there. Stick with the tried and true tools you and your students are comfortable with.
Check out the resources below of different tools and strategies you can use for remote learning:
- List of platforms and tools that are offering free subscriptions
- Curated list of companies offering free subscriptions
- Edublogger article on teaching online during school closures
- Document with tips and tools for teaching remotely
- Google Site containing mini PD videos that can support you as you explore teaching remotely
- A Quick Start Guide to Distance Learning E-Book
- 50 elearning activities, templates, and tutorials
- Asynchronous, Remote, & Flipped Classroom Resources E-Book
Support
The following options are available if you need support:
- Technology support available 8 am-8 pm by calling (626) 854-8543