Jim stresses…, © 2011-20 R3 Collaboratives Privacy Actually, that’s not as different from ‘good teaching’ in-person as it seems. Like what you’re reading? I hope these student engagement strategies help you combat the disengagement of distance learning. I wrote some about this recently: “You can also argue that this isn’t your job–and it’s certainly true that considering the well-being of every student your responsibility is a fast-track way to see some of the warning signs of teacher burnout. Track that data. Further, you have to be extra careful about how you address those behaviors because it’s very literally in front of the entire classroom–in many cases with many. Student engagement can be a real challenge in this sudden shift toward distance learning. Hinton would then divide the students into virtual small groups to solve related math problems. Overall, Edutopia author Emelina Minero shared some of these smart strategies from educators nationwide who implemented synchronous and asynchronous options to support their students during remote learning. His students provided feedback to their peers. Of course, that doesn’t mean ‘don’t cover content,’ but rather emphasize student well-being, engagement, and autonomy as you work with them in remote teaching and learning. Your students will be more engaged with you and your lesson when they are engaged with … Distance learning and inclusive school settings present a myriad of teachable moments that connect to the primary underpinnings of inclusive education - its emphasis on access to and engagement with grade-level standards-based academics; addressing student’s complex communication needs; relationships and belonging; and learning life-long essential skills in real places with real people. Examples of ways to allow students to collaborate from a distance include: Assign group projects based around Google Docs or Google Slides Allow students to team up and compete with programs like Kahoot This isn’t always doable, but when possible, design lessons–or activities within lessons–that don’t just encourage ‘engagement’ and student participation, but that won’t work without engagement and participation. But when the opportunity presents itself, check in with your students–really check in with them. It’s organized by both instructional need and content area. As with all content, how useful and relevant any of these are depends on your context–experience, grade level, need, priorities and strengths as a teacher, etc. Then you need some best practices for student engagement during distance learning. We encourage using this as a companion resource alongside our content-specific guidelines: The Google Doc held students accountable. Murphy would then reply with clarifying questions to create written dialogue between her students. Top 5 Online Student Engagement Strategies. Some students attempted to write sentences. Use them intentionally. There is no secret magical formula for student engagement in distance learning. Give timely and sensitive feedback. Instruct your pupils to set up their study space in an area with as few distractions as possible. Be the teacher you would’ve needed during a pandemic when you were a child.”. Try Virtual Classroom Walkthroughs. Content provided by … And don’t make this complicated–use an app on your phone to time individual activities or the running time on Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, etc. Project-based learning helped foster more student discourse. I almost titled this one ‘take breaks’ but depending on your schedule, a ‘break’ may be less useful than simply transitioning or team-building, etc. I also think our students will follow our lead. The point is to know the platform and then selectively use the bits and pieces that work for you and your student. Digital conversing platforms are a powerful tool, but they can create some communication barriers. But one way to improve engagement is by empowering students. Amplify success with a video library of teaching, Want Easier Principal Walkthroughs? Student Perceptions on the Importance of Engagement Strategies in the Online Learning Environment Online Learning Journal –Volume 22 Issue 1 March 2018 209 through course design and technology integration. Resources For Teachers and Instructional Coaches – December 2020, Distance Learning Student Engagement Strategies. Here are some video games to teach with and classic hip-hop music you can teach with to get started. If you must assess something, assess their well-being. This may not be possible. Klima shared this illustration with her students at the end of the class to support student reflection. 2. 1. • Students’ learning strategies. Generally speaking, the definition of synchronous learning is learning the same thing at the same time. 9. Bob Schuetz, Technology Department Chair from Township High School District 211 in Palatine, Illinois, shares a crowd-sourced list - from Schoology Ambassadors, other thought leaders, and his students - on the top 10 ways to engage students for distance learning. Students presented their work through five-minute screencasts. #1: Reward Students’ Successes. If you have a plan ahead of time, you can mitigate the ‘loss’ of time and learning. And when you do find a tool that actually makes your life easier while (more crucially) improving student learning, learn how to use it effectively. In distance learning, however, each student’s space will vary. To support student participation and engagement during synchronous learning, some teachers have implemented live video chats and digital tools. 1. But whenever possible, ‘chunk’ learning–three times a week for 20 minutes or twice for 30 versus once for an hour. For example, the class decided to use only one emoji at a time. If we are relaxed and have some fun with this, they will be too. They are also necessary to reduce wasted time. The internet is full of games and music. If you’re unsure where to begin, or just want to explore new technology, start with this list. Keeping online students engaged in an environment filled with distractions is one of the chief problems in distance learning today. You might be surprised. This one’s simple but don’t use Google Drive to share video and don’t use Zoom to carry out ongoing conversations with students and don’t use YouTube to host all student portfolios, etc. Consider their lives. Utilize these 100+ Distance Learning Tools. Enjoy! Gone are the days of ‘chalk and talk’ or purely one-way lectures. Asynchronous, self-directed, ‘genius’ learning–that is, learning students do on their own because they want to–is another way to empower students as a remote teaching tip. Here are some easy ways to check for understanding. Students are human. Many educators miss their buzzing classrooms where students present, share feedback, & ask deep questions. Here are 32 Of The Best Free Online Learning Resources. Students get the opportunity to collaborate, help each other, and practice effective communication skills and time management, which are also essential career skills. Assume the link you share will be broken and that the private message you send will be seen by everyone–and so on. See above. Embrace Edtech. I truly believe that student engagement is the key to success in an online course. How effective this is depends on what you teach and the age of the students you’re teaching it to. If you can only meet once a week and that’s it, then once a week it is. Providing students with opportunities to respond is an easy and effective method for encouraging engagement. This activity supported students to become more comfortable participating in virtual learning environments. That said, keep resources like Kahoot, coolmath.com, or even videos of others playing games to engage students in distance learning during portions of the lesson or activity where it may be waning. Students that are engaged in learning are more likely to demonstrate the expected behavior. Prioritizing skills and concepts from your curriculum is more necessary now than ever. Here are 3 strategies to foster engagement while distance learning. Their day. These examples show ways to integrate the values and voices of all students in distance learning. Can I Use Covid-19 Teaching Videos for Meaningful Teacher Observations? Think small, bite-sized learning activities with clear objectives and intentional transitions–all while planning for and necessitating student engagement and autonomy. Some are possibly too general to help (e.g., ‘Simplify’), but hopefully out of the 25 remote teaching tips below, one or two might stick and make your planning a little easier–and more engaging for students. Who sees what–what you see in their homes and they see in one anothers’–it’s a lot to sort. Director of Library Services Ryan Tahmaseb has implemented project-based learning activities for his elementary and middle school students. Her students would type into the chat either “T” (true) or “F” (false) while answering math problems. Use of See also Virtual Teaching Tips For Beginners. Their well-being. Independently the students would respond to prompts before discussing as a class. One of the ‘golden rules’ of student engagement in remote learning is that the learning experience needs to be interactive. 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