A Few Thoughts From Our Distance Learning Pioneers

Many of us are jumping into distance learning for the first time. We are making the best of the situation and learning as we go. You may not know that there are a group of teachers who have been leading a successful distance learning program at our high school for the past several years. They have learned a lot as they have perfected their approach and in this post our Coordinator of Alternative Education, Karen Perez shares some ideas to consider as you dive in.

For the past three years, the Online Pathway at Mountain House High School has provided students with the opportunity to learn remotely.  Here are some suggestions from our Coordinator of Alternative Education, Karen Perez, that will help you get started in your transition to remote teaching.

• Communicate, communicate, communicate! Just as you would in your seat-based courses, be sure you check in each day with your site-team (grade or subject area,) your students, and parents.  Email is not always enough. You will also need to pick up the phone and call students and their parents. I recommend setting up a Google Voice number so that students/parents/guardians/colleagues can call or message you: Link to Google Voice Tutorial

• Use Google Meet to hold whole class discussions or to meet one-on-one with students.  Google Meet tutorial: Link to Google Meet Tutorial

• Outline your time. What will your daily schedule look like?  Consider having a dedicated time period each day to reach out to students most in need. 

• Set up a system to track meetings with students/parents.  Consider using www.calendly.com or find another system that works for you.  I really like Calendly as it uses your current Google Calendar to find available times.

• Be mindful that all students have a different home environment for learning.  Expect the best from your students, maintain rigor, but keep an open mind and be flexible.  

• Join the Facebook Group Educator Temporary School Closure for Online Learning.  There are thousands of resources available within the group, and teachers that are willing to support each other, share lessons, and collaborate on best practices for teaching and learning in this new environment: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Temporaryschoolclosuresupport/  I also recommend subscribing to Practical EdTech by Richard Byrne.

• Feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions.  My email is kperez@lammersvilleusd.net and my Google Voice number is (209) 214-7070

We plan to update this blog during the duration of or distance learning to share ideas. Do you have an idea that you would like to share? Have you seen a colleague doing something awesome? Do you have a blog idea that would benefit others? Let us know: bschum@lammersvilleusd.net