Online Engagement Strategies and Tools for Distance Learning by Edith Torres https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg en-us 2022-11-12 20:18:48 UTC 2022-11-15 04:44:58 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f469-1f4bb.png Description of Strategy: etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2381201239 An excellent strategy that can engage all students is gamification. Specially in the ages of 4-8. Gamification is about applying game elements to non game setting or content. Students can earn or loose points or badges. Assignments can be completed as quests in partners or groups. ]]> 2022-11-12 20:26:06 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2381201239 Why and How is this Strategy effective? etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2381203029 Gamification can be implemented digitally or physically. Its primary purpose is to motivate and engage students to complete assignments, and tasks and, by doing so, meet their behavioral and learning goals. According to Stuart Chaffoo, gamification can make learning less intimidating for students with different learning needs. Students with ADHD can focus on small goals at a time. Also, “studies have shown that children who struggle with autism see an improvement in motor, behavioral, and communication skills by using gamification” (Stuart-Chaffoo, 2022). Gamification can also reduce anxiety test taking levels by making an assessment feel more like a game. (Stuart-Chaffoo, 2022).

Stuart-Chaffoo, E. (2022). Why gamification helps children with special educational needs. Night Zookeeper. https://www.nightzookeeper.com/blog/articles/why-gamification-helps-children-with-special-educational-needs#:~:text=Because%20collaborative%20gamification%20involves%20teamwork,communication%20skills%20by%20using%20gamification]]> 2022-11-12 20:31:14 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2381203029 Pros and Cons etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2381205612 Pros: 
1. Boosts Learner Engagement.
2. Provides Instant Feedback.
3. IncreTases motivation.

Cons: 
1. Take time to set up and up keep. 
2.Game mode can become outdated. 
3. May not attract the attention of some students. 

Gupta, G. (2022). Pros and cons of gamification. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/pros-and-cons-of-gamification
]]> 2022-11-12 20:37:13 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2381205612 Recommendation of educational tools or multimedia. Grades 4-12 etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2381209504 Classcraft is a platform that allows the teacher to set up classes as games where students create their avatars and earn points and badges for positive behavior and completing tasks. Students can trade their points or energy for rewards such as homework passes. Students can also lose points or energy and get teacher set consequences. Classcraft is an exciting way to get students excited about learning and being in school.]]> 2022-11-12 20:48:25 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2381209504 Recommendation of educational tools or multimedia. Grades K-3 etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2381211453 Class Dojo allows teachers to connect with students and parents. With Class Dojo, teachers can award points to students and share special moment with parents. Its a great way to motivate students in elementary. ]]> 2022-11-12 20:53:49 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2381211453 Description of Strategy: etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382420085 With the Active Learning Model, the teacher is a facilitator that presents experiences for students to discover and learn. With interactive lessons, teachers ask questions and guide student thinking. (University of Buffalo, 2022). The Notice and Wonder strategy is excellent for getting students to build critical thinking skills and come up with the problem and questions. With class discussion, students can share and listen to peer perspectives. 

University of Buffalo. (2022). Delivery modes and teaching approaches. Office of Curriculum, Assessment and Teaching Transformation. 



]]> 2022-11-14 07:16:02 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382420085 Why and How is this strategy effective? etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382429042 Using Active learning strategies improves critical thinking skills, retention, and motivation. “Active learning engages students in the process of learning through activities and/or discussion in class. It emphasizes higher-order thinking and often involves group work” (Freeman et al., 2014). 
The Notice and Wonder strategy, allows students to think critically and use creativity. Students can interpret a graph and tell the story the data tells. Or begin solving a problem by noticing patterns. With class discussion, everyone learns from everyone. Since there are no right or wrong answers with needs can celebrate as much or as little as they find necessary. 
 
Freeman, S., Eddy, S.L., McDonough, M., Smith, M.K., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H., and Wenderoth, M.P. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.111(23), 8410–8415.
https://www.pnas.org/doi/pdf/10.1073/pnas.1319030111


]]> 2022-11-14 07:23:04 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382429042 Pros and Cons etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382431646 Pros: 
1. Student engagement and motivation. 
2. Involves trial and error. Students learn that making mistakes is part of the learning process.
3. Students are encouraged to participate actively and collaborate. 

Cons: 
1. Can be time-consuming. 
2. Students could develop misconceptions. 
3. Not all outcomes are predictable. 

Drew, C. (2022). Active learning: Advantages and disadvantages. HelpfulProfessor.com 
https://helpfulprofessor.com/active-learning-pros-cons/


]]> 2022-11-14 07:24:54 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382431646 Recommendation of educational tools or multimedia. Grades 6-12 etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382440021 Desmos.com is a free and easy-to-use graphing calculator that offers lessons and activities for self-discovery and is perfect for active learning. Desmos provides inquiry base learning to create understanding. The platform allows students to easily exchange ideas between peers and teachers making it ideal for class discussions and strategies like I notice, I wonder.

https://knilt.arcc.albany.edu/Unit_1:_Benefits_of_Utilizing_Desmos_and_Desmos_Activity_Builder


 
]]> 2022-11-14 07:31:11 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382440021 Description of Strategy: etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382447672 The Direct Instructional Model by Hunter includes seven elements: 

Objectives, standards, anticipatory set, teaching, guided practice, closure, and independent practice. The Teacher uses various methods to lecture, model, or demonstrate.
The teaching part of the model can be done with videos, whether teacher-created or selected from youtube. During a meeting, the teacher can record pieces or the entire lesson and post them on the MLS of choice for students to view at their discretion.



]]> 2022-11-14 07:37:13 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382447672 Why and How is this strategy effective? etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382452716 The direct instructional Model by Madeline Hunter is great for teaching routines, expectations, and content. Some content is best if students self-discover, and content the teacher needs to model to the students. With the direct instruction model, students can view the teacher's demonstration and practice with help and independently.
Students sometimes need to listen to the same lecture from a different perspective or presenter. Posting videos of the content, whether teacher created or picked, can help all students, especially absent students and students with learning needs. Videos are a great form of direct instruction that allows students to pause or fast forward, allowing students to learn at their own pace.


 
]]> 2022-11-14 07:41:03 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382452716 Pros and Cons: etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382454761 Pros:
1. Direct instruction is efficient.
2. Very direct, with no room for misinterpretation. 

Cons: 
1. Loss of creativity. 


]]> 2022-11-14 07:42:42 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382454761 Description of Strategy: etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382460591 With project-based learning, the teacher becomes a coach or guide. Students are given a task where they must research, organize findings, create, and present. When students create artifacts, they demonstrate their learning with tangible demonstrations. ]]> 2022-11-14 07:47:04 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382460591 Why and How is this strategy effective? etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382464119 Project-based learning allows students to learn actively instead of sitting and listening for long hours. With the teacher's guidance, students can complete the assignment at their own pace. Project-based learning is an alternative to quizzes and tests, which many students may find intimidating. By differentiating learning and assessments, students with anxiety may perform better. Since students work independently, the teacher may find more time with students requiring modifications and accommodations. 

https://www.celt.iastate.edu/instructional-strategies/teaching-resources/teaching-strategies/problem-based-learning/project-based-learning-strategies/]]> 2022-11-14 07:49:45 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382464119 Pros and Cons: etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382467978 Pro:
1. Promotes student self-reflection  
2. Students develop organizational skills.  
3. Students develop communication skills.  
4. Alternative to presenting in front of the class. 

Con:
1. Students may find research difficult. 
2. Students could develop misconceptions.
3. Some students can be camera shy..


]]> 2022-11-14 07:52:58 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382467978 etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382469799 Loom is a great and easy recording app for any grade level that allows students to present projects. It is an excellent alternative to taking a quiz or a test. With Loom.com, students can demonstrate knowledge by creating artifacts and showing them in a video. ]]> 2022-11-14 07:54:32 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382469799 etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382471924 Flip grade can be used at any level, but it is recommended for grades K--3. Students can find ways to save an endangered species of their choice, recreate their habitat, and use FlipGrid to record their outcomes to share with the class. FlipGrid is easy to use and includes colorful frames and emojis to liven presentations.

]]> 2022-11-14 07:56:07 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382471924 Description of Strategy: etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382476281 For Grades K-12 

What is so great about icebreakers is that they are perfect for every age level. Icebreakers are not only fun, they are necessary to build trusting teacher-student and peer-peer relationships. Teachers can pose a question or activity unrelated to the content to help students build rapport. 

Lucid. (2022). What is an Icebreaker? https://www.lucidmeetings.com/glossary/icebreaker
]]> 2022-11-14 07:59:20 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382476281 Why and How is this strategy effective? etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382478097 Implementing Icebreaker activities can build engagement; when students are engaged, they learn more. Icebreakers help build communication and collaboration skills. ]]> 2022-11-14 08:00:58 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382478097 Pros and Cons: etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382479256 Pros: 
1. Can create a relaxed atmosphere. 
2. Can aid with communication and teamwork. 
3. Can engage students. 

Cons: 
1. Can be intimidating for some students. 
2. Can be boring and have negative effects. 

Marisa. (n.d.). Icebreakers. https://marisaicebreaker.yolasite.com/ 
]]> 2022-11-14 08:01:48 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382479256 etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382480239 Slido.com

Slido.com is a tool that provides templates and ideas for icebreakers. Teachers can create polls, mood barometers, word clouds, would you rather questions, and much more. 


]]> 2022-11-14 08:02:38 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382480239 Recommendation of educational tools or multimedia. etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382483449 YouTube videos are a great way to get students engaged and learning. Sometimes students need to hear the same lesson from a different person or on their own. With selected YouTube videos students can learn at their own pace. ]]> 2022-11-14 08:05:20 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382483449 Google Meet: etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382484366 During the lesson delivery, it is a good practice to record and post the video in google classroom or the MLS of your choice. This allows students to watch the recording and fill in the gaps they might have missed during class. Recording videos of instructions of complex assignments is also a good idea. ]]> 2022-11-14 08:06:14 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2382484366 etorres271 https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2384065759 Depending on the sources, information varies on whether there is more engagement in a traditional classroom or an online environment. Some studies show that in the traditional classroom, there is more engagement. In contrast, other studies demonstrate no significant differences in engagement and outcomes (Butts et al., 2013). The teacher creates engagement differently, and there is no one way to do it. While some teachers find it easier to engage students in a face-to-face setting, engagement can also be acquired in an online classroom. Engagement strategies like think-pair-share can still be implemented with digital tools like google slides or Canva that allow students to share documents and collaborate. 

Asynchronous collaboration can benefit students who are shy or need time to process and articulate an answer. In the synchronous environment, students can collaborate in real time, while in the asynchronous setting, students can choose the time to respond to a partner during the day. While feedback is not immediate, it does give students time to research and reflect on a response. 

In whichever setting, the teacher sets the mood and expectations and creates a safe environment where students want to participate. With the appropriate tools and the right strategies, teachers can build engagement and cultivate learning. 





Butts, F., Heidorn, B., & Mosier, B. (2013). Comparing student engagement in online and face-to-face instruction in health education teacher preparation. Journal of Education and Learning; Vol. 2, No. 2. doi:10.5539/jel.v2n2p8
]]> 2022-11-15 03:26:01 UTC https://padlet.com/etorres271/wrcjevu4guty78dg/wish/2384065759