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If you use turn & talks during in-person lessons, try using Flip (formerly known as Flipgrid).

Using Flip, students can post videos in response to a topic or question. This platform allows students to edit clips, add audio, and use stickers, pictures and drawings to support their ideas. After posting their video, students can then view their peers' videos and respond with a video or written comment.

Flip Asynchronous Example (3rd Grade):

1. Students listen to a read aloud of Owl Moon by Jane Yolen.

2. Students choose a non-literal quote to share with their classmates.

3. Students post a video reading the quote and add visuals to their video.

4. Students must respond to two peers and discuss what they think the non-literal quote means.

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A Quick Start Guide to Flip for Educators

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What is asynchronous learning? How can teachers support student engagement while learning at home?

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What is asynchronous learning? How can teachers support student engagement while learning at home?

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Asynchronous instruction occurs when students learn on their own at home without the guidance of a teacher. During asynchronous instruction, students may watch videos, read information, or explore websites to achieve the learning objective. To increase the effectiveness of asynchronous instruction, teachers can incorporate technology tools to engage students in learning and provide opportunities for virtual interactions with peers.

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Listen to this podcast to learn more about asynchronous learning and student engagement.

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Listen to this podcast to learn more about asynchronous learning and student engagement.

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Episode 137: Active Learning in Asynchronous Courses with Dr. Bonni Stachowiak

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Episode 137: Active Learning in Asynchronous Courses with Dr. Bonni Stachowiak

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If you use exit tickets during in-person lessons, try using Nearpod.

Nearpod provides an opportunity for students to engage with the material presented in the slides in a variety of formats. Students can share their thoughts with other classmates by positing on a collaborate board or poll. Teachers can also collect individual student responses using the “draw it” slide or creating a quiz.

Nearpod Asynchronous Example (4th Grade):

1. Students read two article with contrasting points-of-view about deforestation.

2. On the next slide, students fill in a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the author's point-of-view using the "Draw It" feature.

3. After submitting, the teacher reviews each student's work to check the student's ability to comprehend the articles and apply the skill.

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If you use literacy games during in-person lessons, try using Lumio.

Teachers can engage students in literacy learning by selecting a literacy game from the Lumio bank. The game formats include: matching cards, fill in the blank, memory, game show, and competitive quizzes. Students can also use Lumio to create a graphic organizer to support their comprehension of texts. This platform allows teachers to monitor each student's progress and review their responses.

Lumio Asynchronous Example (2nd Grade):

1. Review the following rule with students:

Use -dge after a short vowel sound.

Use -ge after a long vowel sound.

2. Allow students to sort the words using the "Super Sort" game.

Try it Out: https://lum.io/student/share/6543cc45-5115-4fab-846d-468eb5390888

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In alignment with critical literacy, it is essential that students are co-constructors of the learning environment. When reading a text, students should share their understandings based on their prior experiences and funds of knowledge. Friere (1983) states that "reading the world precedes reading the word", meaning that all students have valuable ideas and thoughts to contribute to the learning environment (p.5). Therefore, no matter the learning environment, virtual or in-person, it is important to provide students with the opportunity to share their connections and work with their peers to better understand the world through literacy. Similarly, it is essential for students to share their writing in authentic contexts with peers. As a result, students will see literacy as a tool to express themselves and address injustices in their communities.

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In a study conducted by Green et al. (2021), teachers found that Flipgrid “led to engagement with their peers” and “opportunities to share their learning and ideas” (p. 792).

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Nearpod allows teachers to incorporate “interesting and attractive learning media” that helps students avoid boredom which negatively impacts students’ academic achievement (Abdullah et al., 2022, p. 126)

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Research to Support Literacy Games (Lumio)

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Research to Support Literacy Games (Lumio)

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A study conducted at a Title I elementary school with nine first grade students found that playing digital sight word games increased students' on-task behavior. Additionally, Gibbon (2017) summarized the study by stating, "sight word games were a powerful intervention tool for sight word achievement and engagement" (p. 14).

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1) Teachers can model how to use the technology tools before students are required to use them during instruction. 

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1) Teachers can model how to use the technology tools before students are required to use them during instruction. 

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2) Teachers can upload a recorded video that students can refer to, if they are having trouble using the tool.

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2) Teachers can upload a recorded video that students can refer to, if they are having trouble using the tool.

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3) Teachers can create a handout for families explaining the technology tool. 

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3) Teachers can create a handout for families explaining the technology tool. 

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1) Allow students to write or speak in multiple languages.

2) Allow students to use multiple forms of representation to show their understanding. For example, students may draw on the screen while recording a Flip video to explain a concept.

3) Encourage creativity while editing videos or making posts.

4) Record video or audio instructions for multilingual learners or struggling readers.

5) Provide sentence stems for verbal or written responses.

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4) Teachers can create a demo student account to ensure students have access to the content.

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4) Teachers can create a demo student account to ensure students have access to the content.

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Create a warm welcome or feelings check-in using the technology tools!

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Create a warm welcome or feelings check-in using the technology tools!

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At the beginning or end of the lesson, students can circle how they are feeling after completing the reading or writing task. This will help teachers support students emotionally or identify students who may need more support.

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Teach and review expectations for conversations and digital safety.

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Teach and review expectations for conversations and digital safety.

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Explore this website to learn about setting expectations for student's learning at home.

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The spread of Omicron in the US has sent more than a few schools back to remote learning set-ups. But for kids who haven't been in virtual learning for a while or kids who have never learned remotely, the change can be a challenge.

As we push ahead trying to juggle the constant changes that COVID has brought to education and teaching our key content, our students' virtual learning expectations may get overlooked. Perhaps you're teaching virtually full-time, or maybe you are now just doing a few virtual lessons a week.

Whatever the case, just because you're teaching virtually doesn't mean your student expectations have to take a backseat!

Your students may need a little help with the ins and outs of how to behave as a member of a digital class. We thought you might appreciate a little help to get your students on track and ensure teaching online goes as smoothly as possible, so we've put together a fun video for you to share with your class to make virtual learning run smoothly.

Virtual Learning Expectations for Your Students

These virtual learning expectations are so easy to learn! They will help your students to concentrate on their learning and participate to the best of their ability. Share this video, and discuss each expectation at the start of remote learning to set your class up for success.

1. Log In a Little Early

Ensure your students know to get everything set up, so they're ready to go when class starts. Sometimes logging on takes longer than expected, and it can be distracting to have different students popping up on the screen as you introduce your lesson.

2. Dress Appropriately

Wearing proper clothes for school (even if it IS online) helps switch their brains into 'work' mode, and they will look and feel ready to learn.

3. Prepare Your Devices

We've all been there, the dreaded low battery notification when you're right in the middle of something! Making sure your students know to have their device charged and ready to go will ensure they don't miss out on anything by having to rush to get their charger (or when their computer goes flat in the middle of the lesson!).

4. Have a Distraction-Free Workstation

It can be difficult for students to maintain their attention when your teaching is reduced to a tiny screen, and students tend to get distracted by everything! Encourage them to have a distraction-free workplace, with only their school supplies on it. This will help them to stay on task. Not only this, but you can concentrate on teaching and not worry about what your students may be distracted by that is out of camera view.

5. Save Snacks for the Breaks

Students wouldn't be allowed to snack during your lessons at school, and virtual learning is no different! Not only will keeping snacks to break time help your students to maintain a school-like schedule, but it will also keep their digital equipment crumb and smear-free. Of course, having water to sip on is perfectly fine - just keep it a safe distance away from their device!

6. Pay Attention to Your Teacher

The learning that your students are doing is just as important as in the real classroom. So, make sure they are paying attention so they don't miss out on anything. They may forget that they're on camera as they will just be watching you!

7. Mute When It's Not Your Turn

Students may not realize how loud their microphones are. Even if they are paying attention, they may have someone, or something, creating noise in the room behind them that distracts other students from the speaker. For this reason, it's important to mute their microphone when it's not their turn to talk. Wearing headphones can help them filter out these background noises as well.

8. Chat When Allowed

Just like in the classroom, the chat function should not be in use unless specifically called for. Students may not realize that when they write in the chat, everyone can see it. So remind them not to distract their classmates and keep the chat function to a minimum unless you've specifically asked them to chat with each other.

9. Participate and Try Your Best

Participation is a little harder when kids are being viewed on a screen. Why not introduce a little signal for kids to let you know when they have something to contribute to the class discussion? This way, your kids will feel just as eager to participate and try their best as they do in the real classroom!

10. Practice Patience and Kindness

We understand technology does not always make things easier! So, above all, it's important to teach your students one simple thing - teachers and parents are trying their best, and your students need to respect them even if things don't go as planned. You are a team, and you can weather this strange new routine together! At the end of the day, practicing patience and kindness is the most important virtual learning expectation of all.

Resources to Help with Virtual Learning

We know how important it is to be prepared for anything during your virtual meetings! We've created a Virtual Meeting Must-Haves - Resource Pack which contains all your virtual learning needs. Check out some of the links below, and see how you can make it work for you!

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What are your go-to virtual learning expectations for kids? Comment below to share.

Banner image: Ulza/shutterstock.com

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10 Virtual Learning Expectations (Video for Kids!)

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Don't overlook virtual learning expectations as you deliver your online lessons! These 10 tips will help your class stay on track with their learning.

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Abdullah, M. I., Inayati, D., & Karyawati, N. N. (2022). Nearpod use as a learning platform to improve student learning motivation in an elementary school. Journal of Education and Learning, 16(1), 121-129.

Freire, P. (1983). The importance of reading. Journal of Education, 165(1), 5-11.

Gibbon, J. M., Duffield, S., Hoffman, J., & Wageman,

J. J. (2017). Effects of educational games on sight word reading achievement and student motivation. Journal of Language & Literacy Education, 13(1), 1-15.

Green, T. D., Besser, E. D., & Donovan, L. C. (2021) More than amplifying voice and providing choice: Educator perceptions of Flipgrid use in the classroom. Association for Educational Communications & Technology, 785-795.