Support for Students

Staying Informed with Google Calendar and Google Classroom

When you learn in the cloud, you will need to check your Rumson School District Google Calendar and Google Classroom every day for information from your teachers about coursework, lessons, and/or content. Google Classroom and Google Calendar are going to be important tools for getting the information you need to successfully learn in the cloud.

Establishing Your Learning Routine and Preparing Your Learning Space

Checking your Rumson School District Google Calendar and Google Classroom every day is one thing. Following through on all that you'll need to do at home when you're engaging in virtual learning is another. If you've already set yourself up with good study habits, those habits will support learning in the cloud. Here are some things to think about when you engage in online learning:

• Have a daily routine. Stick to it. Ask your parents or another important adult to help you develop your schedule if you need assistance. Be sure your routine includes breaks, time to be active, and time to eat lunch.

• Have a learning space. Use this space when it's time to learn.

Be sure your learning space includes what you need to learn. You'll need a computer, Chromebook, or other device. You'll need paper, pencils and/or pens. You might need tools to help you with math like a ruler, compass, and possibly manipulatives like counters. You'll need your textbooks, trade books, composition notebooks, or any other curriculum materials that your teacher provides.

Don't be surprised when your parent or guardian asks you to make your learning space in a shared area of your home like at the kitchen table, a large kitchen counter, or a desk in a living room or family room. The reality is that when your learning space is separate from your bedroom and distanced from the television, it triggers your brain that the space is for work and not play. You really will be more productive. And, like it or not, an online learning space in a shared area allows the adult(s) in your home to readily support your learning while also monitoring your online activity. (Yes, they get to see what you do.)

Building a Daily Schedule

More and more adults are able to work remotely. In fact, some adults have jobs that are done entirely through virtual means. These adults all have daily schedules or routines they use to help them stay focused and on task. When you learn in the cloud, you're going to need to think about this too. To develop your daily schedule, think about what it's like during a typical school day. Think about how teachers post schedules in the classroom or how bells remind students and staff when class is over. Think about your ability to stay focused and how long you know you can reasonably devote your full attention to a task. Your schedule will look different depending upon your family dynamics and your personal learning needs

Learning in the cloud is just as challenging and rigorous as a day of learning in the classroom. Learning just happens in a different place. Like in school, your daily schedule might be a bit different on each day of the week. There will be certain things such as your stretch and nutrition breaks as well as your lunchtime that you'll probably want to keep consistent. What might change are the times you hop online for Google Hangout sessions. The more time you spend learning virtually, the more you'll know about what works best for you in terms of keeping focused and on task.

Being an Active Learner and Advocating for Your Learning Needs

Getting used to an online learning environment and participating in virtual learning might take a little while. Some people will love it right away. Others might need some time to get used to how to participate in live video sessions or use a chat room. If you're an "early adopter," be patient and remain kind to those who will take longer to adjust to a virtual learning environment. If you're one of the people who isn't as comfortable with technology or online learning as your peers, it's okay. Stay positive. Be persistent.

Sharing Your Learning

Your teacher(s) are going to want to know whether you are learning what they intend for you to learn. Be prepared to be asked to:

• Complete a Google Quiz;

• Submit a document into your personal Google folder;

• Take a picture of your work and upload it into a Google Folder or email it to your teacher;

• Engage in a chat session or office hour.