Basic principles for improving unplanned online learning | IQ Univ

Basic principles for improving unplanned online learning

The time for “What if the schools closed? To stop or slow the spread of COVID-19 has passed. Establishments in the US, India and around the world have closed or are planning to close. Educators are forced to act, whether they are ready or not, and with the very real possibility of having to switch to distance learning, partially or fully, depending on closings, and we all need to act quickly and thoughtfully. Of course, this is not the ideal learning environment, and the type of education and learning taking place in these unprecedented times will not meet the same standards as those of expert teachers working in their classes with students they know and love. Yet this is the reality we are faced with, and we cannot afford to be overwhelmed, nor to stand still. Rather, we should take stock of the expertise and resources available and try to mitigate any negative impact on students. In order to do this effectively, schools and districts need time to deal with the critical long-term elements of professional learning, infrastructure, equitable access for students and families, questions about disabilities and learning styles, and more. However, these are complex issues that can take time to resolve, and many of us will need to focus on the most urgent needs and take the most appropriate action for the immediate future.

On the one hand, we have to take into account the technological and educational factors around what is already available, as well as the capacity and preparation of the staff. On the other hand, we need to think about the quality of this education and the tools that could help ensure that education not only continues, but remains genuinely meaningful and effective. As the crisis continues to evolve, educators may feel inundated with advice and resources, but there are a few basic teaching principles that can all help us navigate this tumultuous and rapidly changing landscape, especially if online learning is part of our plan for our students.

Meaningful work

Simple hands-on games and exercises are likely to play an important role in setting up an effective distance learning environment. However, if we want to ensure high quality teaching, instructors will have to design tasks that call for high-level thinking skills and are intentionally engaging for their learners. The circumstances of this sudden and different new way of learning will already be a challenge for many students. If the tasks do not motivate them to use all parts of their brains with interesting, meaningful work that is focused on relevant and engaging topics, it will be even more difficult for students to be successful.

Without the luxury of critical face-to-face interaction, many instructors will find themselves asking students to demonstrate what they know, understand, and can do through written products. Of course, writing has always been an important part of learning, but its place could increase further in today’s climate. How this work is structured will determine whether students are properly supported. Part of the research concerning this pedagogy is the subject of massive recruitment on the Internet. If you’re interested, a great compilation we’ve found is this massive set of resources led by Dr Alexandria Lockett of Spellman College.

Feedback is important

John Hattie’s work over the years has proven that commenting has a significant impact on student learning. The comment is even more important if the teacher does not interact constantly and in person with his students, which means that teachers will have to take additional measures to provide relevant and actionable feedback on the work of their students. Turn it in users benefit from a number of different mechanisms to provide students with the critical feedback they need to continue to learn and develop.

Peer interaction

Remember, students still need to interact with each other during this time, and teachers will need to manage this to keep those interactions positive and productive. Teachers should consider using discussion forums, shared documents, and other formats that promote collaboration. For example, educators can assign a topic with subtasks and questions, and students can develop and edit the content together. Think of it as creating their own custom Wikipedia page.

Communicate homework to students

Although this is not a teaching strategy, students cannot complete or learn from distance learning designed by educators if they do not know what to do, when to do it, or how to do it. approach their work. In particular, if students have never used a Learning Management System (LMS) or other virtual classrooms, this can be a challenge. Educators will need to think carefully about how to communicate effectively so that students have clear explanations and direct access to essential information.

Teachers can use the calendar to add assignments, deadlines, etc. It’s a great way to communicate with students. In a past newsletter, you can share homework details by attaching a file to your classroom calendar in Feedback Studio. To do this, simply go to the Calendar tab, click on the specific date in the calendar, and then upload a file under “Attach course notes”. I recommend attaching homework instructions to the corresponding due dates. You might also consider including additional resources, such as relevant websites, course notes,these are unprecedented times, but we know educators are some of the most resourceful, optimistic, and tenacious people around. This blog will continue to publish useful articles that support distance learning, so check back often to discover new content.

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Arka Debnath on 6th Aug, 2020
Excellent article. I am glad I found it.
Corey Halstead on 6th Aug, 2020
Thank you. Be sure to continue to check out our blog as we will have more engaging blogs.
Arka Debnath on 7th Aug, 2020
Sure I will. I will look forward for more useful posts.