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Stronge What Works Newsletter

May 2020
 

Lessons Learned on Virtual Learning and
Family Engagement in the Time of COVID-19


Copyright to Stronge & Associates Educational Consulting, LLC, 2020

Permission to use this material within the recipient schools is granted with the requirement that the copyright notice is included.


We are in an unprecedented time of grappling with the challenges of school closures and moving to online learning options due to the pernicious spread of the coronavirus globally. However, our schools and educators have been resourceful and resilient like they always have been by proactively and relentlessly exploring options for moving teaching online and making student learning as engaging, rigorous, and rewarding as possible. Integrating online technologies into teaching can be a challenging endeavor, especially as there is no “one size fits all” formula that suits all teachers in all educational contexts. 
 
We have developed a number of tips related to effective distance learning, many of which you already may be implementing. It is encouraging to know that the current investment of time and effort in these innovations will continue to benefit student learning in the post-COVID-19 timeframe.

 
  • Take care of your own well-being: The teachers’ and leaders’ needs are just as important as the school’s needs. Encourage teachers to network online to share experiences. Also, as much as possible, create an online community that doesn’t overwhelm teachers so they can rest, sleep, have time for their own children, and maintain a sense of health and well-being. Encourage teachers to ask for help and seek feedback when needed.
  • Use both synchronous and asynchronous learning: Synchronous (or live video) works best when you want to regularly check-in, collect feedback from students quickly to ensure they are on track, or have face-to-face time with the students. Asynchronous learning involves pre-recorded and loaded videos and activities that students can view with greater flexibility, which is a better option for students from homes with poor Internet, a dearth of devices, or unstable family situations. 
  • Motivate and engage students with learning: Student motivation and engagement with online learning is related to a number of factors just like traditional learning within a classroom. These factors include curriculum/content design, activities, assessments, and the relevance of the chosen technology. It is essential to make sure the online learning activities are relevant, meaningful, and an integral part of the overall learning process so students can see the purpose in them. Use a variety of activities, such as review/recap, direct instruction, modeling, discussion, research/inquiry, practice, and reflection. 
    • It is important to state clear learning goals at the beginning of a unit, a week, and/or a lesson so students know where they are heading with the learning. Having a road map matters for virtual learning.
    • Timely feedback is crucial for online assessments and assignments so students have a sense of direction and their progress. And when student misconceptions are noted, post a quick video to clarify.
    • For students who are not participative, contact them and provide support privately. 
    • Online learning is an opportunity to teach students metacognitive skills, which help students become aware of and understand their own thought processes. These metacognitive skills also include self-regulatory skills such as selecting a learning place away from distractions, setting goals, crafting a plan to approach a task, seeking resources and support, and evaluating and improving learning – skills that are crucial for student academic success and future career. 
  • Allow students to stay connected to their classmates: Online learning should be more than just assigning work to students. Teachers still need to create a respectful and stimulating e-community for the class. Allow students to ask questions, respond, and hear from each other. Recognize that their input is essential to each other’s successful e-learning. Students can tend to feel isolated during online learning, so carve out some time for students to collaborate and interact with others around academic issues. 
  • Incorporate discussions: Teachers can consider introducing discussions into online learning, especially opportunities that give students time in advance to prepare for talking points. By providing advance notice, student discussions tend to richer and more in-depth. 
  • Stay in contact with parents and families: Online learning may appear to be cold and mechanical sometimes, so it is helpful to bring warmth and humanity into the communication with parents and families. Parents, especially for younger students, play a crucial role in overseeing remote learning. Maintaining an engaged online presence and being responsive in answering questions are important. Use a variety of communication and involvement strategies, such as emails, websites, social media, phone calls, videoconferencing tools, and maintaining online office hours.
Teaching is a challenging profession. The challenging time of COVID-19 forces us to rethink education. The current crisis we are in may provide the disruptions - and opportunities - we need to propel us to move forward facilitating our younger generation’s development in the interconnected and digital information world.

 
Additional Resources:
 
ASCD’s Educational Leadership has a special issue on remote learning, including articles about maintaining connections while school is closed and how to help anxious students stay engaged with learning.
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/summer20/vol77/num10/toc.aspx
 
Resources compiled by CESA 6, Wisconsin, a regional school consortium, to support virtual learning:
https://www.cesa6.org/covid19.cfm
 
A podcast that can be shared with parents to help their kids learn and use time productively at home:
https://thesmartthinkingpodcast.podbean.com/e/episode-131-covid-19-–-advice-for-living-and-supporting-children-reflection-and-tools/
 
A curated list of resources that can be used for lesson planning for various subjects and grade levels:
https://wakelet.com/wake/1fe41c1f-6a4e-47f2-b101-fcf9cd7d342d
 
A deeper understanding of student online absences:
https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/finding_common_ground/2020/04/6_reasons_students_arent_showing_up_for_virtual_learning.html
 
How to be a better online teacher:
https://www.chronicle.com/interactives/advice-online-teaching
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