Questions for Online & Open K-12 Teachers by verenanz

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verenanz — 2020-05-17 19:39:54 UTC

Welcome #EDCI339 Students! Create a post it - and ask your questions about Online/ Distributed/ eLearning and "Someone" will answer for you. Can be anonymous or initials/ twitter handle

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verenanz — 2020-07-10 18:59:30 UTC

Welcome online PLN. Please answer the questions - and add initials or twitter handle so we know who you are? Links are really appreciated as well....

Q: Is there any specific training you need to be an online teacher?

2020-07-11 01:59:42 UTC

Q: Is it different being an online teacher to being a bricks & mortar teacher? How?

2020-07-11 02:00:24 UTC

Training to be an online teacher...

nneutzling — 2020-07-11 20:39:36 UTC

A:
Training requirements will vary depending on the organization you are looking to teach with, some will even provide training. When we were forced online I took professional development classes through GOA (https://globalonlineacademy.org/). It pays to be on top of the platforms that are being used to teach online, for example my school utilized G-suites and we found that the teachers and students that had a strong base in Google had an easier time teaching and learning online.
@n_neutzling

How can we facilitate social interaction and community building in an online learning context while also differentiating for each learner?

2020-07-11 21:00:47 UTC

- Julia

Q: How can we make online learning, educational yet engaging in order for all students to feel comfortable with the learning process?

2020-07-11 22:51:14 UTC

- Erin

verenanz — 2020-07-11 23:02:15 UTC

A: Social Interaction - community Building to differentiate for each learner .... While we will be going into more details in topic 3 ( equity in online/ open learning) asynchronous collaborative activities like this Padlet, annotation activities, creating groups ( pods) and ensuring weekly group activities that are collaborative rather than competitive.... using social media & Twitter ( giving time to participate) and scaffolding by including tutorials or links to de write how to join/ use a digital tool ... switching up groups/ pods .. giving choices so students choose what is meaningful to them or how to communicate their learning ... all help differentiate learning in online enviros. Text to speech software, closed captioning  and creating/ using digital tools that support learners without making students feel different than others are also a great strategy ... the important thing to consider is that these strategies can ( and should) be offered on any classroom - any modality - not just online .... @verenanz

EDCI 337

tmalm — 2020-07-11 23:09:45 UTC

Ask @richmccue, the guy taught the best class I've ever taken, be it online or F2F. I attended every online activity (because I had the luxury of being able to), but have spoken to some my classmates that were unable to attend, and they had positive experiences too.
- Timm

In an online learning environment how do we support the students diverse needs (learning styles and IEP's) and home environments? Are there specific websites and tools that anyone can think of that supports various learning abilities? I see that @verenanz mentioned a few "Text to speech software, closed captioning"... As well as what kind of supports can we offer students? Finally what would EA's look like in an online learning environment...

brittanyjohnson2 — 2020-07-11 23:58:54 UTC

-Brittany

verenanz — 2020-07-12 00:28:02 UTC

A: IEP’s and supporting all students by being inclusive in online environments ... although we will be going deeper into this in topic 3, I suggest that you start to follow Shelley Moore and her blog https://blogsomemoore.com/ You can be one step ahead ...

verenanz — 2020-07-12 01:05:44 UTC

Q5: What kinds of online learning activities are focused on behaviorism? Cognitivism ? Constructionism ? Connectivism ?

Q: What are some effective 'icebreaker' activities/tools (other than introduction/about me posts) that can be used to support relationship building at the start of a course/school year?

2020-07-12 01:29:33 UTC

- Leona

A: Online vs brick n mortar teaching

2020-07-12 03:38:51 UTC

Yes, online vs in person has similarities such as learning goals and methods (social collaboration, critical thinking, literacy, curricular goals etc). However, in person deals with 20-40+ humans (or hundreds in Uni) often in one space/room at the same time, so the concept of classroom management is integral and the development of relationships. You must lead and facilitate humans in one spot at the same time for extended times which entails classroom environment (seating, arrangement of furniture etc). You have to plan entire full days of learning often schedule restricted. You have to deal with real time moments, and often there is not enough time to help everyone that one prefers. I argue online is easier for "human management & organization" versus strictly asynchronous. You don't get breaks as a teacher in real person, it is go go go until lunch (if you are a good teacher that doesn't sit at your desk all day) but even then you often are getting work done or helping others during breaks. Whereas online you can answer emails or provide feedback at a more easier pace and work with perhaps one person in a zoom session or small groups. In person, you are always responsible for each learner in a class during allotted times. So as opposed to online where learners are at their own pace, doing group work in a classroom setting, cognitively you are still monitoring all students at the same time in a physical space. It is multitasking on many levels. One must also consider IPP learners who might need physical breaks, need to sit in a certain spot due to vision or wheelchair access. Or if a child has seizures, having a plan to support them and all the kids. Or perhaps kids are fighting or not getting along. While doing in person small group work, you are also monitoring the rest of your learners. You must be aware of each student's presence for longer time periods versus online. In my humble opinion there are similarities but there are also vast differences. @jt_alison

Q: How can I support students at home who do not have the resources to access online learning?

2020-07-12 03:47:49 UTC

- Erin

alexamclean100 — 2020-07-13 19:02:15 UTC

Q: How can you insure the engagement of young learners in an online setting? I think it is hard to guarantee young students' attendance and engagement in this type of setting. Is it up to the parents to help guide students in their asynchronous activities and set up synchronous meetings?
- Alexa M

Answering part of Brittany's question

2020-07-13 19:09:19 UTC

My mom is an EA at an elementary school in the states. Through the Covid process she has been doing some individual meetings with a few of her regular students. This was requested by the teacher. There was some guidance by the teacher but it was ultimately up to her to figure out how to best utilize the 30 minute window to help teach math skills and sometimes help work through the leaners' math workbooks. I think EAs are such a valuable resource to both teachers and students, but how they are integrated into online learning is still in question.
-Lauren M

Q: How do we teach the necessary social skills to young learners in an online/often individual learning setting? -Lauren M

2020-07-13 19:18:28 UTC

A: What if students cannot access resources? Some suggestions? Plan for activities that can be completed at home off screen, and focus on how they can document their learning - through writing (paper) images, models and multiple other forms of learning. Creating "packets" of learning is always an option... BUT a teacher can create choice boards (that can be printed out) and often learning can be documented more easily through pictures - than in online LMS. ePortfolios (or portfolios at home) are also a good way to collect and document learning.

2020-07-13 21:32:01 UTC

A: Teaching social skills to young learners in an online/often individual learning setting? Create google docs that are image based and require annotation - Voice threads, podcasting - giving each other feedback - Having one synchronous time for small groups (teacher facilitated) OR Asking for parent volunteers to help facilitate synch online sessions. Online activities which focus on building or contributing to something OR problem solving - Teachers designing fro asynchronous activities (which can be explained through text, video or podcast) that encourage students to complete tasks together (scavenger hunts). This post describes some interactive practices: https://www.bookwidgets.com/blog/2018/06/20-interactive-teaching-activities-for-in-the-interactive-classroom This post expands on these "Making thinking visible" strategies: https://arpdcresources.ca/consortia/thinking-strategies/

2020-07-13 21:36:09 UTC

Q: How might we support students who have learning designations in an online setting who may not be able to work independently in an online setting? What are some tools that teachers have used to work with those students, especially throughout the pandemic?

2020-07-14 18:50:44 UTC

- Heather

A: How can I support students at home who do not have the resources to access online learning?

2020-07-14 18:54:30 UTC

In response to Erin's question "how I can support students at home who do not have the resources to access online learning", I think it is important to remember that schools want to support all students to the best of their ability. I think during this current pandemic, some students may not have access to a computer or IPad at home. In this case, the teacher could reach out to the principle and ask if a student may be able to borrow a device from a class set at the school. If a child does not have access to the internet at home, the teacher could pre-download activities and allow students to work asynchronously at home. If students do have concerns, maybe offer phone calls as a way of communication instead. In our interconnected world, there are so many possibilities it just takes some creative thinking to find the best solution!
- Heather

Q: How can we encourage the use of open and distributed learning in Kindergarten/Grade 1 classrooms? With the use of digital tools?Especially since some schools only begin students to begin to learn on computers in Grade 1. How do we engage these young students in collaboration in open learning?

2020-07-14 21:40:09 UTC

- Kate

Q: I am wondering what types of assessment are the most effective when it comes to open and distributed learning in K-12 classrooms?

carlyhmh — 2020-07-15 03:14:40 UTC

- Carly

2020-07-15 20:27:17 UTC

upload link search_web camera more_horiz delete Q: I am wondering what types of assessment are the most effective when it comes to open and distributed learning in K-12 classrooms? Q: I am wondering what types of assessment are the most effective when it comes to open and distributed learning in K-12 classrooms? - Carly

Q: How might we build authentic and strong connections with students that we have never met before through an online learning setting?

2020-07-15 20:28:03 UTC

- Sarah

Q: Do you think the educational system will continue in an inquiry and open based learning or act as a pendulum and become more conservative in the future?

laurenanng — 2020-07-26 21:47:56 UTC

-Lauren

Q: How do think that COVID19 has "fast-tracked" open and distributed online learning? How were we underprepared?

teyawij — 2020-07-28 05:06:42 UTC

-Teya

A:

teyawij — 2020-07-28 05:11:29 UTC

This is a personal response, but I can't stress enough the importance of face-to-face interactions (even if they are not face-to-face). Zoom calls that are dedicated to getting to know one another builds necessary empathy for meaningful connection. Having multi-media approaches that include many different learning styles, visually stimulating resources, and interactive engagement are all also so important

Q: How can we encourage building connections with students in an open and distributed learning context?

claramkucher — 2020-07-28 15:42:14 UTC

- Clara

Q: What are some of the educational technologies that you have researched or used? How do they support distributed and open learning?

claramkucher — 2020-07-28 15:43:01 UTC

- Clara

Answering Alexa's Question

claramkucher — 2020-07-28 15:54:56 UTC

I believe that it will be a joint effort between students, parents and teachers to ensure students are engaged with their work. I think creating a learning environment that is relevant and ensuring that you have a connection with your students will also help achieve engagement.
- Clara