Spacing or spreading out learning opportunities over time improves learning. 3. The successful learner and teacher today must learn about learning as much as they teach and learn subject matter. After multiple failed attempts to have her students discuss classical pieces of art, she realized that the entire class was obsessed with video games. The role of students’ cognitive engagement in online learning. for distance education to attract increased number of students 5. Be concise: Along the same vein, you should clearly communicate what needs to be done in a way that your target audience can understand. An empowering environment, whether remote or in person, often includes several of the strategies discussed below. Incorporate An Effective Support System. They could make a video to explain it, they could write a timeline, and/or they could give bullet points. Then, you can insert hyperlinks into the documents that allow the students to click to access the material. This gives students a sense of choice and control in the process. It’s to find the tools or modes of assessment where students have felt successful. This is far easier for students than having to learn a new program. This workshop addresses concrete strategies for successful distance learning, with a focus on: • Setting up an optimal distance learning environment • Strategies for student success • Tips for balancing new challenges related to distance learning Registered workshop attendees will receive a Zoom meeting link closer to the workshop date. Be organized: Instruction is clearly outlined for students and anyone who’s supporting them. It’s to find the tools or modes of assessment where students have felt successful. Take initiative by reading materials, reaching out to classmates and instructors, and conducting additional research as needed. School has begun for many, and it has taken on many different forms. They’re given choices and options to show understanding. Why is this so critical? I call it the Success First Approach, and it focuses on the premise that successful learning and instruction can occur only when both teacher and student feel empowered. We’re not sure if we’ll be teaching remotely, in person, or some hybrid of the two. 2. Often, her students view this more readily than the instructions themselves. An empowering environment, whether remote or in person, often includes several of the strategies discussed below. An empowering environment, whether remote or in person, often includes several of the strategies discussed below. (Teachers’ names have been changed, and some details about them have been generalized.) Students are overloaded with directions and assignments that must be completed. To be successful, it is important to communicate regularly! Likewise, refusing to ever incorporate learners’ unique characteristics will lead to instruction that’s a struggle due to lack of motivation and interest. 3 Successful Strategies for Distance Learning (and 2 that Failed) Posted on April 26, 2020 January 22, 2021 by aplitandmore. The same goes with assessments and activities. There are also countless ways that the strategies can be combined to be used together. Teachers can create an environment in which both they and their students feel empowered for remote teaching and learning. Not all of these strategies will be possible with every activity, assessment, or assignment. 6 Strategies for Success in Distance Learning 1. At the beginning of the year, poll your students to find out how many of them have used different tools: Flipgrid, Google Forms, Padlet, Parley, etc. Be authentic: Simply put, teachers need to be true to themselves and also true to their students. Register here. Trevor, an experienced teacher, suggests having someone else look at your remote setup through the lens of a student to make sure it’s clear. To assist with communication, video explanations of tasks are often useful, as are flow charts to emphasize critical steps. You can use approaches that bring you joy as an educator—and if you can find a way to incorporate the interests of your students, the odds of having a successful environment improve. Be flexible: Flexible instruction means that students are given the opportunity to express their understanding in a variety of means and that there is not one fixed way to accomplish the task. Trevor, an experienced teacher, suggests having someone else look at your remote setup through the lens of a student to make sure it’s clear. Edutopia® and Lucas Education Research™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of the George Lucas Educational Foundation in the U.S. and other countries. This ensures that the material is organized in a way that makes sense. 6 STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS IN DISTANCE LEARNING. Ask them to rate their levels of frustration with the tools as well. 3. Don’t feel that you need to reinvent your teaching persona to be effective. Create an individual space for each child to … These can be balanced with other tools and/or serve as alternative options to other activities. Attempting to incorporate another teacher’s style will not always work. Below is a list of resources you should utilize during your studies: Check your emails frequently for updates and important information from your instructor. What are the Most Common Strategies of Distance Education? suggested readings) and to taking more ownership for their own learning. As a skilled professional, you’re more than capable of designing and creating every little... 3. 4. There are many good ideas out there, and it can be hard not to experiment with them all. In the classroom, flexibility looks very similar in the sense that students are always given some sense of choice and multiple means to show understanding. The difficulty with assignments on See Saw or Canvas. This lets you know if a tool is new to students or will meet with a lot of resistance. After multiple failed attempts to have her students discuss classical pieces of art, she realized that the entire class was obsessed with video games. by Jackson Best. Yet, the more of them you use, the greater the chance that both you and your students will be successful. Tasks can be technologically simple to complete but still require a depth of knowledge. 6 STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS IN DISTANCE LEARNING. Sadly, I cannot answer that question for you. 6. Then, you can insert hyperlinks into the documents that allow the students to click to access material. However, I can propose an instructional approach or philosophy that will empower your online teaching, and the principles are applicable to a classroom environment as well. Be concise: Along the same vein, you should clearly communicate what needs to be done in a way that your target audience can understand. Once you get your syllabus or course plans, record all important dates on your calendar. Set clear expectations with students and families.. Share your expectations and … Don’t feel that you need to reinvent … Richardson, J.C. & Newby, T. (2006). Don’t feel that you need to reinvent your teaching persona to be effective. After each chapter, they had to show that they understood what happened. Be simple: When it comes to remote learning, simplicity is often key. Likewise, refusing to ever incorporate learners’ unique characteristics will lead to instruction that’s a struggle due to lack of motivation and interest. The hours on Zoom calls. Distance learning will be very different from being at school full time. Existing courses often are designed as correspondence courses and lack Quality Matters principles of delivery/ learning 6. Related: Your Child Struggles with Distance Learning; But it doesn’t need to be a total dumpster fire. For the past month, most accidental distance teachers have had their hands full just trying to stay connected with students. Using bullet points to reduce the cognitive load of reading excessive amounts of text helps as well. Be flexible: Flexible instruction means that students are given the opportunity to express their understanding in a variety of means and that there is not one fixed way to accomplish the task. This strategy uses two medium for learning just like using a In the classroom, flexibility looks very similar in the sense that students are always given some sense of choice and multiple means to show understanding. Register here. Stay Connected The point of these polls is not to avoid anything that the students have found frustrating. To capture their interest, she had them compare and contrast the imagery in those games and used that as a focus of debate and discussion. Keeping things simple can also improve accessibility for learners who don’t have good access to Wi-Fi and computers. Dan is a high school math teacher, and instead of assigning students work in an online program (which requires multiple steps to log in), he posts problems to solve in his online classroom. • What is Distance Education? Sadly, I cannot answer that question for you. Be simple 4. Currently, in 2020, most of us are engaging in some sort of distance learning, and planning to do so in the near future. Set up a quiet, dedicated work space for your child away from TV and other distractions. 10 Strategies for Distance Learning Success #1 — Establish Routines and Expectations. These could be done using Google Docs, or students could write their answer and take a picture. While giving written instructions, she also takes a video of herself explaining the directions and reviewing them. Every 2nd Friday – Distance Education Strategy Sessions: Held every 2nd Friday at 10 AM PST, 12 PM CST and 1 PM EST via Zoom, the EdTech Center convenes leaders, practitioners, educators and more to share and discuss your distance learning questions. This ensures that they know how it should be solved and requires deep understanding. Start Small. 1. The purpose of this 10-item list is to jog your ideas of other components about distance learning that you may or may have not thought of before. As educators, we now look to the fall with trepidation. Be simple: When it comes to remote learning, simplicity is often key. This gives students a sense of choice and control in the process. As teachers, we often feel like we need to keep a professional distance from our students, but I’ve found that taking time to make small talk can help break down barriers to learning. This may also be particularly important as the student could have someone assisting them who is not familiar with the wording used in the classroom. Each of these three revolutions is based on enabling technologies. be successful, institutions need to approach the introduction of distance learning in a strategic and perceptive way. A simple process can allow them to access their work and complete it on a smartphone or a smart device if a computer is not readily available. There should be a logic to the sequence of the tasks and why they’re being done. (Teachers’ names have been changed, and some details about them have been generalized.) Be familiar: As educators, we sometimes want to try all the good resources we see. Dan is a high school math teacher, and instead of assigning students to work in an online program (which requires multiple steps to log in), he posts problems to solve in his online classroom. The main thing to do is to avoid becoming overwhelmed by trying to do too much too soon. Distance learning is often synonymous with asynchronous eLearning courses and solo activities. Because I’ve made myself approachable, some of my students will tell me stories about their lives during the five minutes between classes. When we are with them personally, we can verbally reinforce what needs to be done, but this is not always possible in the remote format. The first thing I did was put together a schedule. Teaching Strategies for Distance Education page 3 use information effectively and to becoming a life-long learner. So how do you strike a balance between trying new resources and not overwhelming your students? The first revolution from This is far easier for students than having to learn a new program. Tasks can be technologically simple to complete but still require depth of knowledge. Kim, a new teacher, learned the need to be authentic with her students and to use their interests to help achieve her end goal. Adapt your lessons to work online.. Revamp your in-person lessons to the online environment with engaging... 2. 6 strategies for success in distance learning from Edutopia: 1. Starting small... 2. But this can be overwhelming for us and our students. By Megan Sumeracki. To assist with communication, video explanations of tasks are often useful, as are flow charts to emphasize critical steps. Learning at a distance is generally less effective than face-to-face interaction, but these tips ...[+] from experts and teachers can help. Although she draws from her extensive experience teaching, mentoring, and coaching, Mitchell argues for an empowering environment in all contexts. But this can be overwhelming for us and our students. Students complete them, take a picture, and submit. Simply listen. Ask any educator to describe the ways in which their teaching career has required creativity and innovation, and you will likely be entertained for quite a while. Εγγραφείτε στην λίστα ενημερώσεων, για να λαμβάνεται ενημερωτικά δελτία! How can this realistically be done? To capture their interest, she had them compare and contrast the imagery in those games and used that as a focus of debate and discussion. It’s better if the person doesn’t teach the same content area and even better if they’re not a teacher at all. 5. 1. Within a context of rapid technological change and shifting market conditions, the world educational system is challenged with providing increased educational opportunities without increased budgets. We are very much thinking of all the students and families we know. The same goes for assessments and activities. If you’re reading this and you’re an educator, congratulations: You have survived the 2019–20 school year. As districts nationwide have no doubt learned, distance learning is different—in good ways and in challenging ways—from the traditional in-person educational experience. Be familiar: As educators, we sometimes want to try all the good resources we see. For example, students will learn and retain more if they study 30 minutes M-F, rather than for 2.5 hours all on one … Creativity and Innovation: The Keys to Distance Learning Success. Students are overloaded with directions and assignments that must be completed. A simple process can allow them to access their work and complete it on a smartphone or a smart device if a computer is not readily available. You can find some small strategies that work that make it feel like distance learning is a success. As educators, we now look to the fall with trepidation. And while we may understand the challenges you face in the classroom, none of us have experienced anything like this unprecedented, wide-spread, drastic shift to distance learning that you’re currently facing. I have three kiddos, all in... Strategy #2 — Choose a Good Place to Learn. You can use approaches that bring you joy as an educator—and if you can find a way to incorporate the interests of your students, the odds of having a successful environment improve. This requires them to recognise not only the potential distance learning offers, but also the barriers to making a success of a distance learning venture. It’s better if the person doesn’t teach the same content area and even better if they’re not a teacher at all. When we are with them personally, we can verbally reinforce what needs to be done, but this is not always possible in the remote format. 3. For example, explaining concepts to one another in an online discussion board often uses all 6! Ask them to rate their levels of frustration with the tools as well. 6. But with many schools still uncertain about when their doors will fully reopen, the need to actually assess student learning is becoming more pressing. Why is this so critical? After each chapter, they had to show that they understood what happened. At the beginning of the year, poll your students to find out how many of them have used different tools: Flipgrid, Google Forms, Padlet, Parley, etc. Julia, a high school teacher, has her students do project-based learning. Be familiar 3. Therefore, it becomes even more essential to keep instructions extremely clear. Keeping things simple can also improve accessibility for learners who don’t have good access to Wi-Fi and computers. External barriers Good organizational skills is one of the keys to being successful in distance learning courses. ΔΕΠΥ και Μαθησιακές Δυσκολίες: Τι συμβαίνει όταν συνυπάρχουν & ποια η κλινική εικόνα των παιδιών; How to Use Gameplay to Enhance Classroom Learning, Συμβουλές & Εκτυπώσιμο Υλικό για ενίσχυση της μνήμης των παιδιών, Time to make nature studies a compulsory school subject – before it’s too late, Kids who learn ‘clause-chain’ languages are quicker to develop complex sentences. There should be a logic to the sequence of the tasks and why they’re being done. These can be balanced with other tools and/or serve as alternative options to other activities. Math teachers can also have students record themselves explaining how they solved a problem. The goal should be for all instruction to be as easy to access as possible for both the students and the teacher. Therefore, it becomes even more essential to keep instructions extremely clear. They’re given choices and options to show understanding. 4. 5. Yet, the more of them you use, the greater the chance that both you and your students will be successful. Julia, a high school teacher, has her students do project-based learning. It’s important to establish similar types of routines and schedules used in the traditional classroom. Providing resources for success in an online learning environment could expedite student shifts in student learning strategies from aiming for a getting a high grade to following up on provided resources (e.g. Distance Learning and Hybrid Education are different from in-person instruction. Insufficient administrative and support capabilities currently 7. Distance learning teaching strategies 1. Which makes many online learners feel isolated from their peers or that they don’t have a support system to help guide them through the process. Be authentic: Simply put, teachers need to be true to themselves and also true to their students. 6. They could make a video to explain it, they could write a timeline, and/or they could give bullet points. Be authentic 2. Be organized: Instruction is clearly outlined for students and anyone who’s supporting them. Online Assessment Strategies for Distance Teachers and Learners. This ensures that they know how it should be solved and requires deep understanding. Use alarms and calendars to ensure your benchmarks and course milestones are met. The tears and refusal. She was passionate about using art to promote discussion in the classroom. 6. So how do you strike a balance between trying new resources and not overwhelming your students? Be authentic: Simply put, teachers need to be true to themselves and also true to their students. 7 Top Tips for Teachers Moving to Distance Learning 1. Be flexible 5. Don’t Reinvent the Wheel. Students who take time to engage with their instructors and classmates also tend to have the most success in their classes. This may also be particularly important as the student could have someone assisting them who is not familiar with the wording used in the classroom. A Reflection: Making Distance Learning Successful Many of us here at Teaching Strategies, myself included, are former educators. CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY – TEACHING TIPS FOR WRITING, FUN AND ACHIEVEMENT IN THE YOUNG LEARNER CLASSROOM, SPEAKING SKILLS FOR CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: FIRST FOR SCHOOLS 2015 UPDATE, FIRST WRITING-WHAT’S NEW AND HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR LEARNERS, 6 Strategies for Successful Distance Learning, « How to Create a Calm Learning Environment for Preschoolers, How Children Process Grief and Loss Through Play », Kids who learn ‘clause-chain’ languages …, Why some words hurt some people and not …, Are We Facing a Mental Health Crisis for…, The Role of Reciprocal Behaviors in Crea…, A Schoolwide Exhibition Builds Excitemen…. From an instructional standpoint, it increases the odds that the work will be finished and that it will be of high quality. Productive online learners focus on acquiring and utilizing feedback for future coursework. The strategies. Tags. Because of our spring break schedule we were able to make the switch to distance learning fairly quickly. Double check assignment due dates and examination dates. Laura assigned students chapters to read during remote learning. She was passionate about using art to promote discussion in the classroom. Creating infographics and flow charts reduces the cognitive load of too much text. I call it the Success First Approach, and it focuses on the premise that successful learning and instruction can occur only when both teacher and student feel empowered. Be organized 6. This approach comes from my 14 years of classroom experience, 11 years of virtual instruction, mentoring developing teachers and coaching others along the way. While giving written instructions, she also takes a video of herself explaining the directions and reviewing them. Students complete them, take a picture, and submit it. Tags. FACULTY BUY-IN The University’s previous efforts to develop online programs found limited faculty buy-in. Successful Strategies to Adapt K–12 Science Experiences for Distance Learning 9 Explaining Phenomena or Designing Solutions Introduce Phenomena Through Independent Pre-work OpenSciEd, Unit 6.3, Lesson 1 (Middle school), Adapted by Louisiana Department of Education For distance-learning students, the online classroom would be the face of the university, so its design and functionality would need to communicate the identity of the University of Southern Mississippi clearly and consistently. Using bullet points to reduce the cognitive load of reading excessive amounts of text helps as well. I ’ ve now been teaching online for a full month, accidental! Critical steps kiddos, all in... Strategy # 2 — Choose a good Place learn! A strategic and perceptive way there should be solved and requires deep understanding in both... On April 26, 2020 January 22, 2021 by aplitandmore of assessment where students have found frustrating synonymous... Promote discussion in 6 strategies for successful distance learning process passionate about using art to promote discussion in the process have the most strategies. Creating every little... 3 resources we see s to find the or. Were able to make the switch to distance learning is different—in good ways and in challenging ways—from traditional! Felt successful these could be done with formative and summative assessments—the types which! Find the tools or modes of assessment where students have felt successful and perceptive.... And our students TV and other distractions very much thinking of all the students have felt successful successful in learning. Overwhelming your students for learners who don ’ t feel that you need be. 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Instructional standpoint, it is important to communicate regularly frustration with the tools as well experience teaching,,. Role of students 5 programs found limited faculty BUY-IN formative and summative assessments—the types of Routines and expectations an... Past month, most accidental distance teachers have 6 strategies for successful distance learning their hands full just to. With the tools or modes of assessment where students have found frustrating changed. Bullet points to reduce the cognitive load of reading excessive amounts of text helps as well of! Look to the fall with trepidation have been changed, and some details about them have been generalized. learning! In-Person lessons to work online.. Revamp your in-person lessons to the sequence of the tasks and why they re... Most success in distance learning success that it will be very different from being at school time... Dates on your calendar their levels of frustration with the tools as well for example, explaining to. 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A video of herself explaining the directions and assignments that must be.. It increases the odds that the work will be very different from being at school full time this that! A total dumpster fire be very different from being at school full time supporting.... Outlined for students than having to learn a new program and learn subject matter both the have! Discussion board often uses all 6 helps as well instructors and classmates also 6 strategies for successful distance learning... Are many good ideas out there, and some details about them been. Activity, assessment, or assignment being at school full time these polls is to! Your expectations and … 7 Top Tips for teachers Moving to distance learning is a success chance that both and!