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RESOURCES FOR ONLINE TEACHING
RESOURCES FOR ONLINE TEACHING
SYNCHRONOUS VS. ASYNCHRONOUS
SYNCHRONOUS VS. ASYNCHRONOUS
Synchronous
Synchronous
Learning is in REAL TIME. Students come in to your digital classroom with Zoom (or other software).
Asynchronous
Asynchronous
Learning is anytime, anywhere. Can be with due dates or self-paced.
You can record yourself and students watch on their own time. They can rewatch the video as they please.
KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN TEACHING VIRTUALLY
KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN TEACHING VIRTUALLY
RELATIONSHIPS ARE #1
RELATIONSHIPS ARE #1
Your relationship with your students and their parents is extremely important during periods of NTI. Use Remind, Zoom, phone calls, messaging services... anything to keep relationships close.
Teachers are often the first response in times of need for students - that doesn't change just because school is online! Keep up with your students!!!
START WITH PROCEDURES
START WITH PROCEDURES
Take the first week (or weeks) to establish your online procedures. Teach students how to use your online platform. Teach them where to find assignments. Teach them where to submit assignments. Teach them how to contact you. Teach them where to ask for help. Teach them how to write an email.
IT ISN'T ABOUT TECHNOLOGY
IT ISN'T ABOUT TECHNOLOGY
Yes, this site is called "Tech with Argo". But hear me out... it doesn't matter which software or platform you're using. So many people are hung up on the "best" digital tool to use. It doesn't matter as long as it works for you and your students! Does the technology assist you and your students in accomplishing academic expectations and goals? Your teaching pedagogy, relationships, and strategies will always be more important than the tech tools you will use to accomplish them.
CLEAR COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL
CLEAR COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL
Make sure all of your communications are clear and CONCISE! Stay focused. Use bullet points. Consider multiple learning styles. Don't make your directions and messages too complicated.
BEST PRACTICES
BEST PRACTICES
SET EXPECTATIONS
Just as you would with an in-person classroom, you need to set procedures and expectations for your virtual classroom.
Setting expectations means more than posting a syllabus and grading rubric. Be specific! Share real life examples of what to do and what not to do.
Set expectations regarding assignments. Is there a length requirement on typewritten responses? Do they need to restate the problem or question before responding?
Set classroom communication guidelines. Because you're not face-to-face, students may tend to be more informal (thanks to social media and text messaging). Clarify the tone and communication style you expect. (Not kidding... I received a text during the spring from a student at 1am that said, "Im done with tha 1 thing. Can u grade it now?")
I created a STUDENT and PARENT guidelines for success for distance learning.
Here is a copy of my Zoom EXPECTATIONS that I cover with my students.
MODEL ASSIGNMENTS
Model how to complete digital assignments. Use a screen recorder (or if we're lucky enough to be in-class for a few days at the beginning, model them then!)
Highlight which buttons to press.
Some students may not know what the blue and red "squiggly" lines mean! Tell them that they mean FIX ME.. there is a misspelled word or a grammatical error.
Show students how to access their Google Drive.
Model how to make a copy of documents and how to rename it.
Show them how to add an attachment to Google Classroom for submission.
Set expectations for assignments (see above).
BE RESPONSIVE, BUT SET LIMITS
Students are accustomed to instant feedback.
Just because you're online, it doesn't mean that you're accessible 24/7... not even at 1am!
Communicate with your students when you are and when you are not available.
Be sure to stick to those times yourself! Do not neglect your family, house, or yourself.
ESTABLISH A ROUTINE
With NTI, there is always a level of uncertainty and stress.
Create a basic weekly class structure for consistency. When students know they can expect an assignment, a Zoom meeting, or an activity, they'll feel more at ease.
SET UP DAILY "OFFICE HOURS"
Open your Zoom classroom (using your personal Zoom room code) and be available during those hours. It doesn't have to be all day, and you don't have to just sit at the computer. You'll hear the doorbell sound when someone wants to enter (keep your speakers up loud). That way, students will know when they can come to your "office" and ask questions or just talk!
Make sure you communicate the hours to parents and students orally and by putting them on the front page of your Google Classroom!
Consider a virtual "Lunch Bunch"!
Where should students look first for information?
How should they proceed through activities? Should they wait for you to instruct them where to go, or can they jump around and complete on their own?
THOUGHTS ON VIDEO CONFERENCING
Personally, I prefer Zoom for face-to-face virtual meetings. But Google Meet just released (8/4/20) some awesome new features that you can check out. Microsoft Teams is not my favorite, but it is an option. You can access them and see tutorial videos on the Resources for Engagement page.
Safety was a "hot topic" for many larger school districts during Spring 2020 for users of Zoom. This was primarily because schools/teachers were publicly publishing their meeting invitation codes. For example: In a district in California, the schools used a local public access television channel (similar to our KET) to inform parents and students of schoolwork. It worked great, as long as the material was simply content based. However, meeting codes were published publicly and that's how "Zoombombing" became a buzzword for COVID-19.
Zoom has placed the restrictions back on free education accounts. Therefore, the meetings are limited to 40 minutes again, BUT the security is still tight. Passwords are required and waiting rooms are requested.
ALWAYS... no matter how annoying it is to stop and let someone in from the waiting room... require a waiting room!
ALWAYS issue a password. Consider making it something the kids will already know, and don't publish it with your link. If you do publish it somewhere, put it in the assignment or in the agenda for the week. Don't publish it directly with your link. Maybe send it out on Remind?
Require students to show their face. That way, there are no surprises about what they're doing, where they're at, what they are/aren't (!) wearing, or who they may be.
You can view my Zoom Expectation list here:
VIDEO RECORDING
Learn how to video yourself! I cannot stress this enough!!!!
Use a program like Screencast-o-matic for screen recording.
A poll of students showed that they like to go back and watch lectures and lessons over!
Show students how to write an e-mail on their Chromebooks.
CREATE A CLASSROOM ATMOSPHERE
Students are missing the social interaction with their peers. Even when we're in school right now, they're missing out on the conversations in between class at their lockers.
Recreate the discussion time before and after class by opening up your Zoom meetings with conversations. Let them express how they're feeling. Let them socialize with one another. Then you can get started with the lesson.
EMPATHY AND COMPASSION
Technology. It's a great thing... when it works.
Give students the benefit of the doubt when it comes to deadlines and assignments. There will be technical issues, miscommunications, and activities that don't go as planned.
Assume the best of intentions and remember we're all dealing with this new normal together.
Let loose and show students that you can still have fun!
Host a virtual Lunch Bunch
Host Zoom Theme Weeks!
Get students excited about attending Zoom sessions by having them dress up and plan your content around the theme.
"Game On"... sports attire, game faces, etc.
"Life's A Beach"... sit on towels, wear sunglasses, etc.
"Adventures Outdoors"... flashlights, outdoors, camping gear, etc.
IDEAS TO BEGIN THE YEAR DIGITALLY
Create a virtual locker (my example is attached)
Play Would You Rather on Jamboard!
This is an amazing site for doing just about anything with a pdf file! Have a Word document you need transferred to a pdf? Have a pdf you want transferred to an editable Word or Google Docs file? Want to merge several pdf files? Want to separate an existing pdf file? Want to edit a pdf? You can do it!
STILL WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT REMOTE LEARNING?
Matt Mitchell, THE GUY from "Ditch that Textbook", offers a FREE course in Remote Learning 101. There are 14 modules on a variety of distance teaching topics in this self-paced online course. Good stuff!
PRACTICES TO AVOID
PRACTICES TO AVOID
Busy work (too many confusing assignments)
Not giving feedback
Timed activities that rely heavily on technology
Using supplies that are not readily available
Collaborative projects without giving adequate time and providing means for collaboration
Copying and pasting worksheets (in pdf or photo form, where students cannot edit)
Long lectures
Inconsistency
Hard, fast deadlines
Being unaware of every student's home circumstances
Not being flexible
Same usual classroom assignments, just put into an online setting
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