Remote Learning - Professional Resources: Online Learning Strategies

Continuous Learning Strategies

From Global Online Academy’s course 'Designing for Online Learning'

• Check in early and often: Communicate with students through email or Google Meet.

• Create norms or expectations for your “classroom”: Consider creating simple norms for facilitating group discussions and Google Meets. Share discussion directions and questions ahead of time so students know what to expect.

• Be playful and build community: Consider how you might personalize your class (as you would in person). Check out GOA’s Relationship Building Playlist for ideas.

• Create simple videos: Check out these tips from GOA to build your online presence with students via videos. View Lauren Gehman’s video from her Positive Psychology course as an example. Feel free to include pets, children or something personal in your video.

• Use the buddy system: Invite a colleague or staff member from another division or department to attend a class or advisory Meet. Have them participate in a discussion, share a video, or brainstorm ideas with you.

• Curating vs. Dumping - from Cult of Pedagogy: Consider students’ cognitive load and what is essential to your course. Additional topics could be used for students interested in a deeper dive. Consider using a Hyperdoc  or ask a librarian to create a LibGuide to put all of your resources in one place for an assignment or research project.

• Create a playlist for self-paced work: Include options to read, watch or listen to on the same topic and allow students to work at their own pace.  Check out playlist ideas from Cult of Pedagogy.

• Research without the paper: Check out these 10 Alternatives to Traditional Research Papers.

• Student Interest: This could be an opportunity to provide students with voice and choice.  Determine a broad idea to begin with and allow students to dive deeper into a specific topic of their choosing. Have them share their learning with the group.

• Provide frequent, simple assessments: Use formative assessments to gauge what your students are learning. Try out 10 Assessments You Can Perform in 90 Seconds from TeachThought. Kahoot, Quizlet, and Socrative are all great options for formative assessments as well.

• Allow time for reflection: Have students reflect on their work using some of these 40 Sample Reflection Questions from Edutopia.

• Ask for feedback: Create a brief survey for students to share what is and is not working for them with this type of learning. Consider sharing feedback with colleagues. 

Content in this box was adapted from the Global Online Academy course, Designing for Online Learning, by Kate Turnbull, Director of Professional Learning at Metairie Country Park Day School in Metairie, Louisiana.