Best Practices in an Online Learning Environment

Educators across the country have stepped up to make significant changes in a short period of time in order to sustain and provide learning in an online environment. Southeast Polk teachers have done tremendous work as a part of these efforts.  As we begin to make some of these shifts, there are some ideas for both support and encouragement during these challenging times.

This graphic below comes from Eric Sheninger (@E_Sheninger) and provides some basic guidance when beginning to offer distance learning opportunities.

After reading the article: "Tips for Managing Virtual Instruction During the COVID-19 Crisis", Learning Supports Coordinator Laurie Wyatt created a chart to help teachers think about the parameters of online teaching. 

Virtual instruction with a social-emotional learning lens

What it is	What it is not
Being realistic about your own feelings. This is hard; acknowledge it. You will have good days and bad days while teaching remotely. We cannot teach as if our students and families are not experiencing exactly the same thing.	Simply altering your instructional modalities and not missing a beat.
Being reassuring. Communicate that you know this is all new and it may be difficult, but you will find your way together.  Adopt a lighter tone.	Stifling your feelings of uncertainty; being too serious and rigid.
Promoting problem solving and contributions. Ask students to put themselves in others’ shoes. Can they think of a caring, kind action they can take?	Avoiding discussing COVID-19 or its effects.
Fostering self-management and emotional regulation. Promote routines that are reassuring. Find time for activities that allow students to share their feelings. Take breaks with interesting virtual field trips like Google Earth; show students fascinating spots around the world.	Bypassing  building in time to share feelings.
Celebrating accomplishments. Celebrate what goes right. Point out every small gain, every small win.	Striving to achieve the same student growth goals you would if school were in session.
Being optimistically future-minded. Keep students engaged in learning.	Trying to advance at the prior pace when school was in session.
Showing and encouraging empathy and perspective taking. Learn about students’ feelings and situations. Know when and how to get help for a student if needed.	Avoiding sharing your own turmoil and logistical challenges working from home.
Taking care of yourself. Provide mindful moments for yourself. Think of mindfulness as vitamins for your mind, heart, and spirit.	Neglecting to acknowledge your feelings of isolation or giving yourself a break.

And last, but not least, Twitter educator Lisa Meade (@LisaMeade23) reminds us that:

"If there's one thing this situation has taught me is we need way more grace rather than judgment, flexibility rather than deadlines, and connection rather than another assignment."