Schools across the globe are moving to remote learning during these unprecedented times in our world's history. Innovative educators are jumping on board, embracing the challenge, and even enthusiastic about discovering some new and better ways of supporting learners. This is the best possible outcome in trying times. However, more and more teachers are sharing that as they are trying to move forward, their supervisors have taken this as a cue to monitor and micromanage. This makes for a very nerve-racking and stressful situation for teachers who are already overburdened. Below is a list of what educators don't want supervisors to do as they transition into a new way of supporting learners.
Remote Learning "Don't" List for Supervisors
Don't ask to be added to everything.
Teachers don't want you watching and commenting on their every move while their learning something new.
Don't do their work.
There are environments where supervisors can see what teachers are doing with students. In these cases, supervisors should not chime in, in the space of teacher and student and start doing the teacher's job. It's just awkward and undermines the teachers work and authority.
Don't focus on monitoring
Many teachers share their supervisor's biggest concern is monitoring them and that is uncomfortable. The role of the supervisor in these times is to be as supportive as possible.
Don't mandate tools, practices, and processes
Suggest, support, and offer, but don't mandate how a teacher does their job. This is a time for learning and innovation. There may be tools that they feel will help them better support learners. Let them use those tools as they move into a new way of teaching.
Don't treat remote learning like face-to-face learning
Some supervisors are expecting staff to be on the same exact attendance and bell schedule. No! Just, no.
Reflection
What do you think? What has your experience been? Do you agree? Disagree? Have anything to add?
Television can provide a great way for everyone to learn. It is especially useful as a learning tool, when using laptops may not be the best option. This may be the case for a few reasons, such as:
A student has a disability that makes using a laptop difficult
A student may not have access to a laptop
A student may not have WiFi
If you are planning to incorporate television viewing into your child's learning experiences WNET and PBS have put some tips together.
Elementary Students
Read reviews to ensure you are choosing the right shows.
Have questions for you child to consider such as:
Do you think what happened in the show is something that might happen in your life or the life of someone you know? Why?
How would you have handled what happened in the show?
Enhance listening skills by asking your child questions about what they're watching
Make connections to what your child is watching to books, articles, and research
Engaging in discussion or related activities before, during, and/or after the show can help you remember what you've learned. WNET has discussion questions and activities for any show you watch on PBS - no internet needed! - to take what you just watched to the next level.
Activities
There are lots of activities you can do while watching a program such as taking the role of reporter or journalist, reenacting what you saw, and thinking like a producer.
The
need for distance learning is quickly becoming a reality for millions of
students as schools around the world close temporarily due to the coronavirus.
Meeting the challenges of teaching and learning remotely requires being
flexible, having vision, and thinking creatively about how best to support
students.
BrainPop has a webinar, resources to make assignments, build assessments, and manage student learning remotely. In the webinar, they outline integrations with various Learning Management Systems, such as Google Classroom and Canvas, providing suggestions for both synchronous and asynchronous approaches to online learning.
Recognizing not all students have access to technology at home, BrainPop provides guidance for developing equitable lessons that are effective whether completed on or offline.
Staying connected to families is always a good idea. It becomes even more important in times of school closures. If possible, it is best to have a system already in place for family communication. Common Sense Education provides advice on how best to communicate and what tools to use to do so.
Common Sense shares apps and websites for texting, messaging, and communication that make it easier for teachers to send out assignments, reminders, and progress reports. They're also great to communicate with families about conferences, field trips, and volunteer opportunities. The list helps you find a tool to keep your communication consistent, reach parents on platforms they're already using, and, in some cases, give students the opportunity to lead the conversation by demonstrating their learning in the classroom.
Effective parent communication is crucial in helping students learn. But, for busy teachers it can be challenging just to keep up. Apps and other digital tools make it easier to keep everyone -- parents and students -- in the loop. Transparency and equity are key to managing any communication between home and school.Check out the parent-teacher communication materials to find a variety of tools and useful tips to help you better engage your parent audience.
These three tip sheets—for principals, teachers, and parents—can help ensure that parent–teacher conferences achieve their maximum potential by providing guidance that reflects each person’s role and responsibility in promoting productive home–school communication. Designed to be used as a set, the tip sheets combine consistent information with targeted suggestions, so that parents and educators enter into conferences with shared expectations and an increased ability to work together to improve children's educational outcomes.
Learn how to have a live, translated parent-teacher conference using the Translator app. Parents can download the app in advance, scan or enter the conversation code when they arrive, and translations appear on their device in real-time. We even provide fully translated letters you can send to parents in their languages to tell them how to participate.
Schools being closed is
nothing new. There are spring and winter breaks. There are snow days. There is
summer vacation. At these times teachers, schools, and districts may decide to
give students homework packets with various activities. Parents need to figure
out childcare.
These days we have the
Corona Virus looming and already being the cause of school closures in various
cities, countries, or just at particular schools. In the age of technology,
planning for secondary students has become a bit easier as many schools already
use platforms like Google Classroom, Schoology, or Microsoft Teams.
Additionally, childcare is not as a big of a concern for older children, but
what about elementary school students?
Here are some ways
schools can prepare:
Communication
Communication is
key. Once you have a way to stay connected, families can be informed and
updated as needed.
Online Platforms
Parents
Facebook is where
parents already are and the learning curve for most is non-existent. Set up a
private group, using your school's email address. Send the link to join to all
your parents. Designate group administrators and moderators. Set the group
rules. Start important discussions, such as:
Help parents connect around childcare needs.
Give parents tips for home learning
Provide the latest news
Learn how to use
Facebook Live to speak with parents and encourage them to comment on the
Livestream.
Students
If you don't have one,
set up a community for students in a platform such as Google Classroom, Teams,
or Schoology. Have all students log in during class. Try to ensure
parents can help their students log on. Practice having students engage in the
platform. If you have very young students, practice with a very simple prompt
and have them respond with emojis. The point is getting them used to the
platform. Experiment in class with things like video conferencing.
Phones
There are schools where
many families may not have access to devices or Wi-Fi. Don't forget about
the power of the telephone. In some districts, Microsoft Teams is set up so
that up to 250 people can be in a call. If you don't have this set up, see if
you can arrange that. Free Conference Call is another option.
Make sure that you have
as many phone numbers as possible, and have a number set up for families to
call as makes sense. Google Voice might be a good option for this.
Childcare
Have families start
thinking about this now. Encourage them to connect with each other. Encourage
them to connect with teachers and other school staff who may be able to help.
Suggest they think of family members such as grandparents who can come visit
and help with childcare needs.
Learning
Here are some ideas for
keeping the learning going when school is closed.
General
Breaks:
Encourage families to start by thinking about the learning that happens
over summer and breaks.
Library: Go to the library and have your
child(ren) pick out lots and lots of books.
See what this looks like in an elementary classroom
Online Resources
Common Sense Media:
Not sure what's best for online learning? Common Sense Media has you covered
with ratings, reviews, and recommendations for apps, movies, websites, games,
and more.
GoNoodle:
Help your children and yourself stay active and mindful with GoNoodle
Thrively:
Find the right kids activities, educational games, and apps for your child.
Show your kids just what they can do with Thrively. Joining is free. Kids get
a strength assessment and then suggested online and face-to-face activities.
A forced school closure whether due to virus, disaster, or other unwanted circumstance will be challenging. However, if districts, schools, parents, and students work together to stay connected and be prepared, there is an opportunity for everyone to learn important lessons and become more connected.
This is the best possible outcome in trying times. However, more and more teachers are sharing that as they are trying to move forward, their supervisors have taken this as a cue to monitor and micromanage. This makes for a very nerve-racking and stressful situation for teachers who are already overburdened. 
