Remote Learning: Best Practices

OVERVIEW

Everyone in education learned some things about remote learning practices during the spring of 2020. The remote learning modules below were developed to facilitate your thinking around what you know as best teaching and learning practices applied in a remote learning setting. The spring of 2020 did not afford talented educators the chance to plan appropriately, let alone implement many best practices. That was not remote learning! That was emergency learning--and they are not the same in any way.  

The information in these modules is based on information in these resources.  What we know is that best practices in teaching and learning are best practices period. The setting doesn't matter; the setting doesn't affect the effectiveness. John Hattie's research shows us this.  You have the success of students at the heart of your instruction. You know your decisions impact learning. You collaborate with colleagues and focus on learning. These things trump setting hands down!

Fisher, Frey, and Hattie (2020)  say this:

The choice of task matters critically. It is the choice of tasks relative to where  students are now and where they need to go next that advances their learning.  

• • • Use technology for great diagnosis of what students need to learn. It is the tool, not the focus.
    • Share scoring rubrics and success criteria up front with students before  they get too involved in the task. 
    • Be clear. Teacher clarity matters more when students are not in front of you  to correct, cajole, and to give instant feedback. You cannot immediately  evaluate progress as you do the physical classroom.
    • Build formative evaluation opportunities into the tasks. (p 5)

Please watch this important message from Nancy Frey, which will provide an overview for the modules in this course. (4 min)

While some tips for tech tools will be provided, the purpose of this course is not to focus on technology. Technology is the tool we use, but good teaching practices transcend technology and space. 

BADGES

Click a badge to get started. Once you have earned a badge and accepted it, it will appear on the Leader Board in the District Vault. If you have earned 6 of the badges listed below, submit a request to be awarded the Willard Remote Learning Master badge. 

DGH: Once you've earned a badge, you can count the time indicated below as District Growth Hours.  The learning must support your Professional Development Plan and have your building administrators' approval.

Routines	Relationships	Credibility	Clarity	Engagement	Feedback & Assessment
1 DGH	1 DGH	1 DGH	1 DGH	2 DGH	1 DGH

FACILITATOR

 Amber Hainline, Canvas Learning Coordinator