Maximize Online Learning in Synchronous Sessions

As the pandemic continues, teachers continue to alter the way they teach. Many teachers are now teaching completely online or in a hybrid situation. Few teachers have been trained in effective online learning. Some districts provided training over the summer, others left teachers on their own to figure it out.

Online learning, by nature, decreases or even eliminates the amount of time we spend with students in person. Both teachers and students want the personal interactions they receive when meeting in person. We also want and need to maximize instruction in a new format.

How do we maximize personal interactions and effectively deliver content to students online?

We know every situation is different, but these are good general guidelines:

Set up synchronous sessions carefully. 

Send students and/or parents the date and time. If possible, send a reminder notice as well.

If students and/or parents are new to the platform you are using, make a short tutorial available ahead of time.

Enter the space 10 minutes early in order to check in with and greet students as they arrive, allow everyone to join and to make everyone comfortable.

Build relationships by having several ice breaker or general questions in order to give everyone a chance to say something.

Turn on the recording if you plan to record the session.

During the session:

Use the “mute all” function while you are giving directions or giving students information.

Once you are ready to begin the class, set expectations. Do you want them to physically raise hands?  Do you want them to use the hand raise function?  What is your expectation for asking questions or discussing?  Do you want students to take notes or fill out a form?  You are likely already used to setting expectations for each class you teach, in person, this is no different.

Determine ahead of time whether or not to use the chat feature. If you use it, make students aware that you will see their comments in the chat.

If you plan to do any screen sharing, be sure you have materials available on your desktop or home page for easy access.  Practice ahead of time.

Start and end your session strong.  It is likely that students will remember the first five minutes and the last minutes the best.  Use those times to your advantage.

Be aware of the amount of time you will actually spend instructing students. A good guideline is to think about how much time you could instruct if you were in person.  How long could you expect students to sit and listen?  Consider that number and then shorten that amount.

Remember to save time for questions and to review any assignments.  This is especially important if you will not be available in person to help them with assignments.

Here is a basic lesson plan format for planning online instruction:

1. Plan a warm welcome, check-in and community building activity or question.
2. Activate prior knowledge: Ask a question or ask students to draw something or write something.  Take a few minutes to discuss what they already know.
3. Tell students the objective or purpose for the lesson or activity they are about to learn or do. Why is this important? How will they use the information or what will it allow them to do? This builds motivation.
4. Give instruction or information. This is the content of the lesson. You might read a book to younger students. You might demonstrate a new math strategy. You could share slides with key information. This is also a good time to discuss longer projects.
5. Allow time for questions and discussion. Allow students to unmute or unmute them if they raise hands. You can also use the chat feature for questions.
6. Give students a follow up assignment or activity to do. Review instructions carefully. This will generally be something that they will do during the time you are not actively engaged with them.
7. Ask students to summarize the lesson and tell you key points. Students can do this verbally, or each student can write something on a paper and hold it up to the camera. You can then read several as a review. Students can also fill in a Google doc. This can also include various forms of formative assessment.
8. Review plans and expectations for the next meeting. Clarify what students will need to do on their own time.

We know that for many of you, online learning is not your first choice. However, you can make it interesting and fun and still offer your students and effective learning environment.

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Our best to you as you begin instruction this fall!