Teaching in the Online Classroom

1. Remote teaching demands a new approach to student engagement and connection

"To Dissolve the Screen is to heighten and strengthen students' awareness of the back‐and‐forth exchange that still exists between their teacher and themselves."

Redefining classroom dynamics: The transition to remote learning has fundamentally altered the way teachers and students interact. Without the physical presence and subtle cues of a traditional classroom, educators must find new ways to create engagement and foster connections.

Strategies for remote engagement:

• Use frequent verbal and visual cues to maintain student attention
• Incorporate interactive elements like chat functions and polls
• Provide opportunities for students to see and respond to each other's work
• Utilize "cold calling" to ensure active participation from all students

Building relationships remotely: Teachers must consciously work to "dissolve the screen" by creating moments of personal connection, acknowledging student efforts, and maintaining a warm, approachable demeanor even when teaching through a computer.

2. Synchronous and asynchronous learning each have unique benefits and challenges

"Asynchronous learning happens when the work of learning occurs at different times and in different places—say, when your students fill in a graphic organizer you've posted online and email it back to you, or when you videotape a lecture for your students to watch on their own time."

Synchronous learning advantages:

• Real-time interaction and immediate feedback
• Opportunities for live discussions and collaborative work
• Easier to gauge student engagement and understanding

Asynchronous learning benefits:

• Flexibility for students to work at their own pace
• Ability to revisit and review content multiple times
• Reduced scheduling conflicts and technical issues

Balancing approaches: The most effective remote learning programs often combine both synchronous and asynchronous elements. This allows for the immediacy of live interaction while also providing the flexibility and self-paced learning opportunities of asynchronous work.

3. "Dissolving the screen" is crucial for building relationships in online classrooms

"Dissolving the Screen conveys a clear message: 'I see the work you're doing, and it matters. You contribute to our classroom culture when you take ownership of your learning and succeed.'"

Creating presence: Teachers must find ways to make their online presence feel as real and immediate as possible. This involves using engaging facial expressions, maintaining eye contact with the camera, and using a conversational tone.

Acknowledging student effort: Regularly calling out specific student contributions and efforts helps maintain a sense of connection and shows students that their work is seen and valued.

Maintaining classroom culture: Carry over familiar routines, phrases, and expectations from the physical classroom to create a sense of continuity and shared experience in the online environment.

4. Maintaining student attention requires intentional design and frequent interactions

"Pause Points make for great opportunities to get a read on how much your students understand."

Combating digital distractions: The online environment is rife with potential distractions. Teachers must design lessons that actively combat these tendencies through frequent engagement and clear expectations.

Implementing Pause Points:

• Ask students to respond in chat every 3-5 minutes
• Use quick polls or "thumbs up/down" responses
• Incorporate brief writing exercises or problem-solving moments
• Vary activities to maintain interest and energy

Balancing cognitive load: Avoid overwhelming students with too much information at once. Use frequent breaks and shifts in activity to allow for processing and prevent mental fatigue.

5. Effective online assessment relies on a combination of real-time, lagging, and implicit feedback loops

"Assessment loops are a way for teachers to collect data and monitor student understanding, and for students to consolidate understanding and develop self‐assessment skills."

Real-time assessment:

• Use chat responses and polls for immediate feedback
• Incorporate quick visual checks (e.g., thumbs up/down)
• Utilize breakout rooms for small group discussions and check-ins

Lagging assessment:

• Assign longer writing tasks or projects for deeper evaluation
• Use submitted work to inform future lesson planning
• Provide detailed feedback on more complex assignments

Implicit assessment:

• Have students self-check against provided exemplars
• Incorporate retrieval practice exercises into lessons
• Encourage student reflection and self-evaluation

6. Clear procedures and routines are essential for successful remote learning environments

"Having a right way to do familiar tasks allows you to move smoothly from activity to activity, keeping the thread of instruction alive."

Establishing digital norms:

• Set clear expectations for camera use and background environments
• Create consistent routines for starting and ending online sessions
• Develop standard procedures for asking questions or participating in discussions

Structuring the virtual classroom:

• Provide a consistent layout for shared documents and materials
• Use familiar cues and transitions between activities
• Implement clear systems for submitting work and receiving feedback

Supporting student independence: Teach and reinforce organizational skills that help students manage their time and materials effectively in a remote learning environment.

7. Thoughtful use of technology can enhance the online teaching and learning experience

"Simplicity has been and remains our core principle. In this chapter, our goal is to provide solutions that make teaching easier—that decrease the cognitive load on teachers' working memory."

Leveraging key features:

• Utilize breakout rooms for small group discussions
• Implement screen sharing for demonstrations and shared work
• Use chat functions for quick responses and engagement

Balancing tech and teaching:

• Prioritize ease of use over flashy features
• Develop consistent systems across platforms when possible
• Practice with technology before implementing in live lessons

Supporting student access: Consider the varying levels of technology available to students and provide alternatives or support when necessary.

8. The future of education likely involves a blend of in-person and remote learning models

"We need alignment between how we teach remotely and how we teach in person."

Preparing for uncertainty: Schools must develop flexible systems that can adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, allowing for smooth transitions between in-person and remote learning.

Developing transferable skills:

• Focus on building student independence and self-regulation
• Teach digital literacy and online learning strategies
• Create consistent routines that work in both physical and virtual classrooms

Leveraging technology in physical classrooms: Incorporate more digital tools and platforms into traditional classroom settings to ease potential transitions and provide students with valuable tech skills.

Last updated: August 17, 2024