Improving On-line Teaching.

 

I know of at least two districts here in Alaska who have had to move to online teaching due to the number of Covid cases locally.  I know that the numbers are running between 800 and 1,100 per day which is higher than it was back in the spring.  The districts that shift to online teaching, usually have students who have decent access to the internet or the district has set up some sort of intranet for the town to use.

It is important to plan ahead to create an online class that is engaging and allows for student choice, proper feedback while covering the content and providing students with opportunities to master the material. 

First thing is to identify what must be covered, essential contact. Teachers need to think about what concepts need to be covered, which can be touched on, and which ones can be eliminated totally.  For instance, one might briefly review solving multiple step equations in one class period in Algebra 2 but totally eliminate matrices and Cramer's rule.  Which topics are the most important?

If possible, move instruction to asynchronous by offering videos either remade or self-made on demand and save the synchronous for going over example problems, work with students and correct misconceptions.  When you provide videos on demand, they should identify key objectives and include a way for students to check and monitor their own understanding.  This helps make it so students can work more at their own pace.

Instead of looking at homework, look at student learning. Rather than grading the work they turn in, look at evaluating them on their reflections and revisions.  Provide the final answers so students can check their work but give them the opportunity to revise their work so they can be graded on that. 

Take time to intentionally design opportunities for interacting with students. One possible way is for students to pretend that they have a partner who does not understand how to do the current topic and have them make a video in which they explain how to do it. In other words, let students make a peer tutoring video since they can't do it in person. When a student creates a video to explain things, they develop a deeper understanding and these video can be viewed by students who struggle with said topic.  Don't be afraid to assign collaborative tasks using multimedia or storyboarding and let students work together in breakout rooms.

Consider rethinking assessment by using three different ways.  First, think about using automated assessments such as quizzes that use multiple choice questions and can be completed within 15 minutes.  Second, use oral exams by having students spend 5 to 10 minutes to explain how to do a problem, and finally, let students create a culminating project at the end of the unit.  Allow students to have a choice in the final unit project which can enrich both understanding and experiences.  

Think about changing up the way you create lessons when you switch to online.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.